Patrick Manning ... tapped to return to power. - Contributed

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The People's National Movement (PNM) of Trinidad and Tobago has been tipped to win today's general election, according to the findings of a poll released here on Saturday.

The survey conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers' Association (NACTA) has, nevertheless, said the three-horse race, which also includes the United National Congress Alliance (UNC-A) and the Congress of the People (COP), may well be too close to call.

"The outcome is too close to call because 11 seats are up in the air and can go either for the PNM or opposition UNC-A, depending on the movement of voters on election day," said the pollsters.

According to the poll, the PNM is projected to win 16 to 27 seats, the UNC-A 14 to 24 seats and the COP, none.

However, the COP, led by former UNC political leader Winston Dookeran, is said to be putting up a stiff contest against the PNM in a few traditional seats held by the PNM in the Port-of-Spain environs, but is falling short because of the divided opposition, said a report on the poll findings in Newsday, yesterday.

"So right now," according to the poll, "the battle is between the PNM and UNC-A to win the elections with undecided voters and the remaining supporters of COP deciding whether it prefers PNM or UNC-A to be in government."

Bitter hatred

According to NACTA, several COP supporters have indicated that they prefer the PNM to the UNC-A to form the government "because of their bitter hatred for Basdeo Panday" who now shares leadership of the party with, businessman, Jack Warner.

A win would give Patrick Manning his third straight term in office and likely end the political career of Panday.

Election officials say 990,352 persons are eligible to cast ballots in 1,483 polling stations across Trinidad and Tobago for the next government, from among 130 candidates who include five independents. There are 41 seats up for grabs.