ELECTION COVERAGE: The December 2010/January 2011 elections

Tomorrow marks the start of the first election for president and vice president of the republic to take office in 2011. It has been the latest time in the preelection cycle before intending candidates came out to declare standing, with only one citizen (newcomer UP aligned Remi Delarue) coming out during the past term indicating they might run.

The LRP has commenced balloting for their president and vice presidential candidates, with current leader and former Titulian president TJ Norton tipped to receive the nomination. Sources inside the party say the veep contest is wide open with five candidates standing including former Titulian president Renee Buchanan, policy committee chair Todd Richards, delegate Chris Hoyt, entertainment guru Lisa Carpenter and senior counsel Cara Dellahunty.

Party secretary Malinda Noble has confirmed that her party will still take interest from non LRP candidates for vice president, though it will be a 'tough fit' compared to previous elections.

"We've looked outside the party or even left it the presidential nominee to nominate an external vice presidential candidate but never had so much interest in the no 2 spot before" Noble said.

Asked whether she believed it narrows the race to party cordons, Ms Noble rejected that the focus was a 'one size-fits all'.

"Five months ago the importance of the vice presidency was put on display during a vote on impeachment of the presidency. Not many campaigns have been typically concerned with the no 2 on the ticket but that attitude has changed now. This isn't about picking someone by throwing darts at a board and choosing whoever it hits this is now about choosing a potential president rather than a vice president".

Candidate for the vice presidential nomination and party political strategist Todd Richards agreed with Noble's assessment saying it was time the LRP took its VP selections 'more seriously'.

"The party is right to boast good choices for President, though I believe one of our weaknesses has been the way we have selected the second in charge" said Richards.

The LRP's two terms in government saw the election of the RNC's Owen Merry and former Titulian president, the Linardist's Gregory Hock, as its vice presidents.

Mr Merry was put under the microscope for his frequent disruptions in cabinet meetings and taking aim at political opponents during meetings of inter party dialogue. These actions resulted in Merry's impeachment as VP. Mr Hock's tenure as vice president was no where near as controversial, although former Buchanan government colleagues have said Hock rarely weighed in on cabinet discussions.

Presidential nomination candidate TJ Norton said he would be 'thrilled to work with whoever the party decided upon'.

"I would be more than satisfied with whoever the party picked to run with me - inside or outside of the party - and that opinion extends to our tenure in Liberty House" said Norton.

"It's going to be a tremendous term of work ahead to take Titulia forward".

Stay here at the Express as the candidates get into gear for the December 2010/January 2011 election.

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