THE UNC closed the chapter on nine years of PNM governance when it won the April 28 general election.

The victory saw political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar being elected for a second time as prime minister.

Persad-Bissessar, 73, first served as prime minister from May 24, 2010- September 7, 2015.

She expressed early optimism about the UNC's prospects of victory at her constituency office in Penal.

Later at UNC headquarters in Chaguanas, with a large crowd of party supporters waving flags and blowing vuvuzelas, Persad-Bissessar repeated the party's election slogan.

"When UNC wins everbody. Everybody wins."

Persad-Bissessar said, "When God says 'Yes', nobody can say no."

She thanked members of the UNC'S coalition of interest (COI) and the UNC membership who carried on a journey which has seen her be elected prime minister again.

Persad-Bissessar said the people were the real heroes and winners in the election.

"We, the people, have the real power in Trinidad and Tobago. Not the fake elites."

Persad-Bissessar said the UNC's victory was for senior citizens to keep their pensions, the former Petrotrin refinery to be re-opened, public servants to get their rightful salary increases, to re-open the Couva Children's Hospital, to give public servants their rightful pay increases and create over 50,000 jobs.

"The victory is yours. Now that the UNC has won, everybody wins."

Persad-Bissessar said the UNC fought a clean campaign based on policies, plans and programmes.

'It is now that the real work starts. From day one, we will be focused on delivering on our promises. Working to make every citizen's life better, brighter, more prosperous."

She said, "I give you the assurance that no one will be left behind."

Persad-Bissessar added TT will now have a prime minister who care and "who loves you."

She promised to fight as prime minister "so that we all win together."

Persad-Bissessar said, "We will work for you (the people).You are the real bosses and we are here to serve."

She promised her government would be people-centred "for the people, with the people, by the people."

Preliminary results showed the UNC winning 26 constituencies, the PNM won 13 and the Tobago People's Party (TPP) won two.

The UNC retained the 19 constituencies it won in the August 2020 election.

The preliminary results suggest that the UNC won Siparia, Oropouche East, Oropouche West, Fyzabad, Princes Town, Couva North, Couva South, Naparima, Moruga/Tableland, Barataria/San Juan, Mayaro, Tabaquite, Claxton Bay (formerly Pointe-a-Pierre), Caroni Central, Caroni East, Chaguanas East, Chaguanas West, Cumuto/Manzanilla and St Augustine.

The UNC added the key marginal constituencies of Tunapuna, Aranguez/St Joseph, Toco/ Sangre Grande, La Horquetta/Talparo and San Fernando West.

The party also took two traditional PNM strongholds – La Brea and Point Fortin as well. Those constituencies were won by Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU)/UNC candidates Clyde Elder and Ernesto Kesar respectively. The OWTU was one of the m