By Ria Taitt Newsday

If all were well, today Trinidad and Tobago would have elected a new President. February 15 was gazetted weeks ago as the date for the election of a new President but as the political impasse endures, another constitutional date passes quietly and uneventfully.

House Speaker Rupert Griffith reported yesterday that because there were no nominations by last Thursday, the deadline, his responsibility to convene the Electoral College and supervise the conduct of the election, as is required by the Constitution, ceased.

"Once I receive no nominations, I do nothing," he said.

He said President Arthur NR Robinson now continues in office until 30 days after a successor is elected.

Griffith however expressed concern about the current impasse. He said every step should be taken to return to Parliament, the seat of democracy, at the earliest possible time.