Election Day Bacchanal

Trinidad and Tobago goes to the polls on Nov. 5 in what is clearly one of the most keenly contested general elections in nearly 21 years, with three political parties in a fight to control this twin-island republic and its vast energy wealth.

Opinion polls, which have rarely been accurate in this country, are showing a wide variation in support for the different parties. While the polls provide good media fodder, voter opinion can be also be gauged at party rallies and meetings, which are more like block parties with popular music and entertainment.

There are more than 900,000 electors on the official voters list, including 18,000 Commonwealth citizens who have lived here for at least two years. There are 120 candidates, including nine independents, running for the 41 seats.

-CBC