WITH THE upcoming General Elections looming on the horizon, returning officers, the police and other parties playing a crucial part in the electoral process in western Jamaica say they are ready for the October 16 date announced by Prime Minister PJ Patterson on Sunday. Word from the Area One Police Headquarters, the observer group Citizens Action for Free and Fair Election (CAFFE), returning officers, and the political parties all suggest complete readiness for the elections.

"We are 99 per cent ready," said Western Westmoreland's Returning Officer Lorrel Gibbons, expressing similar sentiments to his colleagues across the region. "The 1 per cent I have left off is for any unforeseen circumstances that might arise."

In general, the returning officers report that the relevant notices are being sent out, voters lists and polling stations checked and approved, workers trained and the general machinery placed in a full state of readiness.

In terms of security for both Nomination Day and Election Day, Assistant Commissioner of Police Linton Latty, the officer in charge of Area One (which covers the five western parishes) said the police were ready for all eventualities.

"We are ready in so far as it affects police operation," said ACP Latty, who said that there is a possibility that his team will be complemented by extra personnel from the police's Mobile Reserve and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). "We have no major concerns, we are ready. Even the 'one day police' have completed their training, all that is left is for them is to be sworn in at the appropriate time."

CAFFE, which hopes to have a representative in each of the 2,500 polling stations island-wide, is not 100 per cent ready at this time but according to the organisation's administrative director, Ouida Ridgard, plans are on course.