PORT OF SPAIN (CMC):

President George Maxwell Richards was re-elected head of state for a new five-year term, Monday, in a ceremony that was academic, as there had been no other nominee.

Richards, 77, a chemical engineer by training, was nominated by 15 members of the ruling People's National Movement, including Prime Minister Patrick Manning. He is the fourth head of state since the twin-island nation attained its political independence from Britain in 1961.