<P> The President of Trinidad and Tobago is the head of state of Trinidad and Tobago and the commander - in - chief of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force . The office was established when the country became a republic in 1976 , before which the head of state was Queen Elizabeth II . The last Governor - General , Sir Ellis Clarke , was sworn in as the first President on 1 August 1976 under a transitional arrangement . He was formally chosen as President by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament on 24 September 1976 , which is now celebrated as Republic Day . </P>
who elects the president of trinidad and tobago
an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament