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“[…] Here in Trinidad and Tobago, the Road March results still rely on a manual system—TUCO officials physically count song plays at competition venues.
“This outdated process is not only time-consuming but also vulnerable to human error, bias, and undue influence…. Embracing digitalisation in Carnival adjudication could resolve these challenges by ensuring fairness, accuracy, and efficiency…”
The following letter to the Editor, which argues that the country must embrace digitalization in all spheres, was submitted to Wired868 by Dennise Demming, MSc, MBA, wellness therapist, communications coach and speaker:
Carnival 2025 underscored our urgent need for digital transformation. A controversy erupted when a Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) tabulator prematurely disclosed the Road March standings, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the competition.
This breach prompted prominent soca artists Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez to announce their withdrawal from future Road March contests, reinforcing the call for reform. Contrast this with the Paris 2024 Olympics, where digitalization played a pivotal role in delivering real-time results across all sports.
For years, international sporting events have leveraged technology to ensure immediate, transparent, and accurate reporting, enhancing global engagement.
Yet, here in Trinidad and Tobago, the Road March results still rely on a manual system—TUCO officials physically count song plays at competition venues.
This outdated process is not only time-consuming but also vulnerable to human error, bias, and undue influence. Public confidence in the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) results has been dwindling; without modernisation, it will degenerate.
Embracing digitalisation in Carnival adjudication could resolve these challenges by ensuring fairness, accuracy, and efficiency. A digitalised approach would restore confidence in the competition while positioning Trinidad and Tobago as a leader in cultural event management.
More broadly, such a transformation could serve as a model for national digital development, signalling our commitment to innovation and integrity.
As of 2023, the United States was the most digitally competitive country, excelling in technology adoption and innovation. In contrast, Trinidad and Tobago lagged behind, even trailing Venezuela.
Despite the establishment of the Ministry of Digital Transformation in July 2021, we continue to struggle with implementation, even after the digital acceleration prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
For our nation to grow and compete on the global stage, digitalisation must be a priority—not just in Carnival but across all sectors. As we approach the next election cycle, political campaigns must articulate clear, actionable plans for advancing digital transformation.
This is not just about modernisation; it is about securing Trinidad and Tobago’s future.
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Dennise Demming grew up in East Dry River, Port of Spain and has more than 30 years experience as a communication strategist, political commentator and event planner. She has 15 years experience lecturing business communications at UWI and is the co-licensee for TEDxPortofSpain. Dennise is a member of the HOPE political party.
