- Norman Grindley People's National Party (PNP) President P. J. Patterson, greeting delegates as he arrived at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the University of Technology yesterday. Looking on is Sandra Phillips, wife of vice-president, Dr. Peter Phillips.

THIS EVENING, at a mass rally planned for Half-Way Tree Square, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson is expected to announce the election date.

Many persons believe that Jamaicans will go to the polls in less than a month.

Dr. D.K. Duncan, political analyst and Gleaner columnist, expects the Prime Minister to set October 15 or 17 as the day when Jamaicans will elect a new Government. Others feel the date will be October 23. Nomination Day is expected to be either September 27 or September 30.

Candidates attending a specially-called meeting with the Prime Minister at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel yesterday were given the 'get set' charge.

Water and Housing Minister Donald Buchanan told The Sunday Gleaner that at the meeting, Mr. Patterson had only two words for his team - 'Time Come'.

The time has come for the election which will decide if the governing People's National Party (PNP) gets its place in history and secures a fourth term or if the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ends its marathon political drought.

Mr. Patterson presented a pre-election agenda to The Gleaner's Editors' Forum on September 4. He said that there are a few things he needed to accomplish before disclosing the date.

He said, "One has to ensure the complete readiness of the electoral system and all the signs suggest that the electoral system is ready."

The second factor, according to the Prime Minister, is that "I want to be satisfied that the security forces are equipped and geared to ensure these elections to be the most peaceful elections." A week-and-half ago, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) received 100 motor vehicles to improve the visibility of the security forces.

The third factor, according to Mr. Patterson, was the opening of the North Coast Highway. That was completed two weeks ago.

He added that "...So far as I am concerned, and you are concerned, I am ready to make the announcement when it seems to be propitious."

Mr. Patterson has already presented his party's 60 candidates at various political rallies across the island, the last taking place in St. Catherine on Sunday, September 15.

Last Friday, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) said it was ready to take charge of the big event. Neville Graham, public information officer at the Electoral Office of Jamaica said the EOJ is ready and waiting for the election and all systems are set.

Asked if the Returning Officer for Central St. Catherine has been replaced, he said he had "no comment" on the matter. He said further that "every Returning Officer has an assistant and therefore, a replacement would not be someone new coming into the system at this time."