General Secretary of the People's National Movement (PNM) Ashton Ford said yesterday that all systems are in place for the party's 44th Annual Convention today at the Grand Stand, Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

Breaking with tradition from the usual venue of the Chaguaramas Convention Centre, opting this year for the Queen's Park Savannah, Ford said the change was unexpected but good.

He expects a greater turnout today because of the accessibility of the venue.

"Having this new venue gives us an opportunity to do new things and we expect to see a large turnout of young people, and observers, much higher than the 2,000 figure that usually turns out," he told the Sunday Express by phone.

And all eyes are expected to be on two main contenders, for the post of Lady Vice Chairman of the party, attorney and former cabinet minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson and incumbent Donna Cox, a former minister in the Ministry of National Security.

Yesterday both candidates told the Sunday Express they were going into the elections with confidence.

Both agreed that the role of Lady Vice Chairman, was going to be of greater significance as the party goes into battle in Tobago in January 2013, and later for local government elections, as well as general elections in two years time.

"I feel confident. I work hard and my work must speak for me. I am committed, I believe at this stage we need a strong woman, because we have Tobago elections to fight, " Cox said.

She added that women are the backbone of the party and they have a big role to play in Tobago elections, as well as local government and general elections.

Cox was at the Savannah from 10 a.m yesterday putting last minute touches to the venue and said she hadn't slept much, having left Parliament at 5 a.m.

For her part, Beckles-Robinson said today's election was very important because "women are the canvassers, and mobilisers and in that regard we are very important.

"I offer myself to serve at a time when the party needs to attract new members, new voters and we must be ready to present ourselves as the alternative government, and ensure support for the leadership when the election bell rings."

The other posts being contested are elections officer which will be keenly fought by Linus Rogers and Foster Cummings; education officer, Conrad Enill and Anthony Garcia; labour relations officer Jennifer Baptiste-Primus and Andrew Alves; youth officer female, Onika Myers-Haynes and Yolanda George-Reid and youth officer male, Ni Leung Hypolite, Abdon Mason, Neil Parsanlal and Dane Wilson.

Ford said the morning period will focus on various reports from committees, and three resolutions will be discussed.

One will focus on the constituency of St Joseph and its MP Herbert Volney who was fired by the Prime Minister from his ministerial post.

The second will look at the performance of the Government and the third will deal with a proposal for a special convention on December 2 to discuss the recommendations from a committee, chaired by Bridgid Annisette-George to reform the party's constitution.

Ford said all MPs are expected to attend with their constituents but could not say if San Fernando East MP and former prime minister Patrick Manning will attend.

Voting for officers takes place from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. while Political Leader Dr Keith Rowley is scheduled to give the feature address at 5 p.m.