SNP chooses Ramkalawan and Prea to fight election |15 March 2011
After the announcement, Mr Ramkalawan – who is leader of the opposition in the National Assembly – presented his running mate for the election, assembly member for Bel Ombre Nicholas Prea.
Attending the event were the party’s elected and proportionally elected members of the assembly, executive members of the SNP committee and supporters.
The party’s slogan for the presidential election – Ansanm pour en meyer lavi – was also unveiled during the meeting.
In his address, Mr Ramkalawan said during the 20 years he has been in politics nothing could have been achieved without teamwork.
“We have achieved a lot and I am confident that together there is much more for us to accomplish,” he said.
Mr Ramkalawan thanked the executive committee for the confidence they have in him as the presidential candidate, and party activists for supporting the nomination and the committee’s resolution.
“The work you do and the support you give is what keeps the SNP strong so it can continue making new progress,” he added.
He also thanked all SNP members who have, in one way or another, helped him and supported the party.
Speaking of the party’s future policies, Mr Ramkalawan mentioned the police force, income tax, reorganisation of the civil service and a civil service commission.
He called on all those who take part in the presidential election of May 19-21 to ensure there will be peace and order during their campaign.
“It is in this context that I call on the electoral commissioner to introduce a presidential debate this year to give the people the chance to listen to and see the candidates,” he said.
Mr Ramkalawan reaffirmed his commitment to help in the development of young people and to transform them into adult citizens.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Prea spoke about all he has seen the party achieve during his years in politics by bringing pressure to bear on the government to introduce certain new laws.
He also thanked the executive members, his colleagues in the National Assembly and his supporters.
Mr Prea has been the elected member for Bel Ombre since December 2002 and was re-elected in May 2007 for a second term.
Before joining politics, he had worked in management positions in the telecommunications, dental health and tourism fields.
Mr Prea is the chief whip for the opposition and a member of various assembly committees.
In 1998, Mr Ramkalawan became his party’s first directly elected member of the assembly after winning his seat in the St Louis district, and at the same time he became leader of the opposition.