TEARS streamed down the cheeks of Mickela Panday, political leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), while her mother Oma Panday hid hers behind dark glasses as they pondered their first general election without their father and husband, former prime minister Basdeo Panday.

Mickela said she always contemplated that her father, who died on January 1, 2024, would have been at her side whether she was contesting as a candidate or political leader of her own party, following in his footsteps. The elder Panday was instrumental in the formation of the United Labour Front, Club 88 which morphed into the United National Congress (UNC).

"I miss him," she told members of the media as she cast her vote in the constituency of Oropouche East at the Esperance Regional Complex shortly after 10 am on April 28.

UNC candidate Dr Roodal Moonilal is the incumbent in Oropouche East, while Richard Ragbir is the People's National Movement (PNM) candidate and Danny Jadoonanan, is one of 37 candidates the PF has fielded in the 2025 general election.

"It's hard. It's very hard," Panday said as she dabbed her cheeks as the tears escaped.

Oma Panday also made several attempts to speak but pursed her lips to contain the emotion.

"It's very emotional," she said, accepting kudos for doing her best to ensure Mickela did her best.

"I am sure her dad is going to be proud of her."

The young Panday said she never thought that on her journey as a contender for the prime ministerial position, she would have been driving solo.

"Hundred per cent," she responded to the conversation about him being there to guide and support her along the way.

Asking what would have been his thoughts on this occasion, she said, "I think he would be proud, and he would be saying, 'Go get them Mick'.

"He would always say to me, 'Did you do your best?' and I would say, 'Yes we did' and he would say, 'That's good enough.

"I think we did the best."

Responding to criticism about her timing, being too late to throw her hat in the ring, she said, "Some people said I should not have done it. Some people say I should have waited until 2030 or I should have done it the year before. People would always say things; people would always have their opinions.

"We did what we did, and we did it to the best of our ability.

"I'm really proud of all the candidates and volunteers and all the people who worked with us. You can't always make everybody happy.

"Win, lose or draw, we are here to stay."

Panday is the candidate for Couva North, a die-hard UNC constituency which her father contested and won on every occasion he fought.

She is facing stiff opposition from the UNC candidate Jearlean John in this constituency which is in a three-way fight with the PNM candidate Brent Maraj.

After casting her vote, Panday spoke to the media about the readiness of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) in terms of its voters list.

While she had no personal complaints, she acknowledged the process is very archaic and needs to be modernised.

"When you have an outd