Four new Independent Senators took their oath of office in Parliament today.
They are Professor Gerard Hutchinson, Sunity Maharaj, Helon Francis and Dr Sharda Patasar.
Professor Hutchinson served as Psychiatry and Unit Lead in the Psychiatry Unit of Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies and the Head of the Department of Mental Health in the North Central Regional Health Authority.
Career journalist and multimedia professional, Sunity Maharaj, has worked in print and broadcast media for over 45 years.
Ms Maharaj has headed journalist organisations including the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago and Commonwealth Journalists Association and developed and implemented training programmes for journalists.
Calypso Monarch 2018, Young King and Song of the year winner 2016 , Helon Francis, who is not yet 30 years old , will be the youngest Independent Senator in the current parliament.
Dr Sharda Patasar, a multidisciplinary artist has a strong background in teaching, research, writing and music composition and has a PhD in Cultural Studies from the University of the West Indies.
Outgoing Senators are Amrita Deonarine, Dr Varma Deyalsingh, Charisse Seepersad and Evans Welch.