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PNP office defaced
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has taken steps to remove graffiti which was painted on the walls of the office of Fitz Jackson, Peoples’ National Party (PNP) candidate for the South St. Catherine constituency.

Mr. Jackson told Gleaner Power 106 News that when he visited the office this morning JLP slogans were painted over the walls of the building located on Newland Road near Naggo Head.

Mr. Jackson says he was assured by the JLP that the matter would be dealt with.

In addition Mr. Jackson says the PNP is not daunted by this morning’s incident.

JLP raises more concerns about Solutrea
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is raising more concerns about the controversial cellular company, Solutrea Jamaica Limited.

JLP spokesman on Telecommunication, Clive Mullings says Solutrea, formerly WIISCOM technologies had a poor record in Barbados.

According to Mr. Mullings, the company failed to pay over its licensing fee in Barbados.

He says it also failed to honour a sponsorship commitment in that country.

Solutrea, which was granted a license to operate in Jamaica on June 1, still owes money for its license.

As a result Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell has suspended the license.

Just over two weeks ago, the company wrote a personal cheque amounting to 15 million Barbadian dollars as part payment for the 510 million Jamaica dollar license.

But Mr. Mullings has raised concerns about the validity of the cheque, which is yet to be handed over to the Spectrum Management Authority by the technology minister.

Mr. Mullings also says he is disappointed that the principals of Solutrea have expressed reservation about any further payments, claiming they were uncertain what may happened if the JLP forms the next government.

EOJ on Election results
The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) is promising that voting results should be ready by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Director of Elections Danville Walker told journalists this morning that the results are to be transferred from counting centers islandwide to an election centre to be set up at the Towers in New Kingston.

Mr. Walker says he expects that counting of ballots in most polling stations will be completed just over an hour after the close of voting at 5 p.m.

Just over one point three million persons are eligible to cast their ballots in the August 27 general election at the more than six thousand polling stations islandwide.

Election day workers and members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) will go to the polls on August 21.

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PNP dispute JLP shooting claim
The People’s National Party (PNP) councillor/caretaker for the Lauriston Division in St. Catherine says she is surprised at the report that a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate was shot at in the community last night.

Keisha Lewis says the incident is frightening because East Central St. Catherine, the constituency in which the incident was reported to have happened, is usually peaceful.

PNP councillor/caretaker for the Lauriston Division, Keisha Lewis.

Leslie Campbell who is running for the JLP to be Member of Parliament for East Central St. Catherine says that at about 7:30 p.m., he was shot at near Tredegar Park Primary School.

Mr. Campbell who was doing house-to-house visits says he was returning to his car when the shots were fired.

Spanish Town Police say they have received a complaint on the matter.

Lamey latest
The Peoples National Party (PNP) says it will be carrying out consultations in the Mount Salem Division of St. James today after councillor/caretaker, Errol Lamey was forced to withdraw his representation.

Mr. Lamey, who is a contractor, was arrested by narcotics police on Monday and charged with possession of, dealing in and taking steps to export ganja.

The ganja weighing close to 60 pounds was reportedly found hidden in a cargo of lumber which was destined for the United Kingdom.

He is scheduled to appear in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrates court today.

PNP General Secretary Donald Buchanan says today’s consultations are geared towards ensuring that the Party’s work in the constituency will continue during Mr. Lamey’s absence.

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PNP President Portia Simpson Miller appeals for calm
St. Mary police are yet to arrest anyone in connection with a house which was set on fire in Farquharson Lane, Port Maria last night.

The house was set on fire while its occupants were attending a People’s National Party (PNP) rally in Central St. Mary.

PNP President Portia Simpson Miller meanwhile appealed for her supporters in central St. Mary to remain calm. According to Mrs. Simpson Miller, the incident was aimed at intimidating her supporters - who she said should not be deterred.

Sitting Member of Parliament Dr. Morias Guy will be challenging the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Lennon Richardson for the seat in the August 27 election. In the 2002 election, Dr. Guy polled 7,562 votes to the 4,728 received by the JLP’s Sutcliffe Haughton-James.

Questioning of PNP councillor continues
Narcotics investigators are yet to charge the PNP councillor/caretaker from St. James who was arrested on Monday in connection with a ganja find in the parish last month.

A source from the Narcotics police told the Gleaner Power 106 FM News that investigators are trying to determine whether other shipments are linked to the drug find.

Investigators are seeking other persons who may be linked to the case. Already they have sought the help of detectives from the United Kingdom to locate a Jamaican man whom they believe is connected to the find.

The PNP councillor/caretaker was reportedly picked up at a construction site in Montego Bay following a joint operation between St. James Police and the Kingston Narcotics Division. His name is currently being withheld by investigators.

It is reported that on June 13, a police team found 59 and a half pounds of compressed ganja hidden among assorted lumber in a container which was destined for London.

Minister hails Safe School Programme as successful
Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson is hailing the placement of school resource officers (SROs), in schools as a success.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson says based on information received, the resource officers have provided effective communication between schools and members of the security forces.

In addition Mrs. Henry-Wilson says while the presence of school resource officers has not prevented violent activities, in cases where they suspect violence among students the school authorities are informed.

The placement of Resource Officers in schools is part of the Safe Schools Programme, which was implemented almost three years ago following concerns about increasing violence among students.

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PNP Councillor under questioning
Narcotics investigators are seeking the help of Scotland Yard detectives to locate a Jamaican man who they believe is linked to a ganja find in St. James last month.

A People’s National Party (PNP) councillor from the parish who was arrested yesterday in connection with the find is still being questioned by detectives.

He was reportedly picked up at a construction site in Montego Bay.

The politician whose name is being withheld by investigators was escorted by narcotic detectives to Kingston from Montego Bay last evening.

Its reported that police personnel intercepted a 24-foot container with assorted lumber in Montego Bay on June 13.

The cargo which was destined for London contained 59 and a half pounds of compressed ganja hidden among the lumber.

Investigators believe the shipment was one of several from Jamaica to the UK.

Meanwhile PNP General Secretary Donald Buchanan says the party will withhold comment pending the outcome of the police investigation.

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P.J. backs Bunting
Former People’s National Party (PNP) President P.J. Patterson will be seeking to shore-up support for Central Manchester candidate Peter Bunting in the constituency, this evening.

Mr. Patterson is slated to address a meeting involving Mr. Bunting and his party workers at the Manchester High School starting at 6pm.

Mr. Bunting – a former banker – will be challenging the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Sally Porteous in the August 27 election.

In the 2002 general election, sitting MP John Junor polled 8,262 votes to beat the JLP’s Norman Horne who received 7,180 votes.

Mr. Horne who has since joined the PNP is now running against the JLP’s Franklyn Witter for South East St. Elizabeth.

The PNP is to continue its series of parish rallies this week. Tomorrow it will head to Port Maria, St. Mary and on Wednesday to Christiana, Manchester.

A rally has also been scheduled for Lucea, Hanover on Thursday before another on Friday in Black River, St. Elizabeth.

EOJ cuts polling divisions
The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has reduced the number of polling divisions in some constituencies ahead of the next general election.

Director of Elections Danville Walker says since the 1993 general election some constituencies had grown beyond the number of electors stipulated by the EOJ for each polling division.

Currently each polling division is required to have at least 400 electors.

Polling divisions will be combined in instances where they have less than the required number of electors. The move to combine polling divisions is also part of the effort to prevent voting irregularities in some inner city communities.

Currently there are 6,380 polling stations in 2,318 locations across the island.

Just over 1.3 million electors are expected to cast their ballots in the August 27 general election.

Samuda calls for peaceful election
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) General Secretary Karl Samuda is stressing the need for political candidates to maintain a violence free election.

Mr. Samuda’s statement follows several reported violent incidents in some constituencies.

According to Mr. Samuda the leadership of the political parties need to emphasize positive messages during the current election campaign.

Candidates from the two major parties have been having meetings with Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair in an effort to stem political tension in some constituencies.

The meetings follow an earlier one held with PNP President Portia Simpson-Miller and JLP Leader Bruce Golding.

Following that meeting the leaders warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any candidate who breached the Political Code of Conduct on the political platform.

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Blair reports Buchanan to PM
Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair says he has written to People’s National Party (PNP) president Portia Simpson Miller following comments by the party’s general secretary Donald Buchanan.

Addressing PNP supporters at a meeting in Morant Bay, St. Thomas on Wednesday night, Mr. Buchanan said the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) account of Sunday’s shooting on its motorcade was false. Police are investigating the incident.

The reported exchange of gunfire lasted for several minutes in Brandon Hill during the JLP’s tour of the West Rural St. Andrew constituency.

But Mr. Buchanan said having viewed video footage of the incident, he is convinced that the motorcade was not shot at by gunmen.

Speaking on Perkins on Line on Power 106 FM this morning Bishop Blair said he is concerned about the levels of political violence.

Woodford Park Flare-up
JLP leader Bruce Golding has been leading a team in Woodford Park in the South East St. Andrew constituency where the manager of the party’s office in the community was shot last night and died in hospital this morning.

Mr. Golding urged residents not to retaliate.

The death of 27-year-old Sanjay Ebanks comes nearly four weeks after another supporter was killed in the constituency and after Bishop Blair and the candidates Maxine Henry-Wilson (PNP) and Joan Gordon Webley (JLP) led a peace walk in the community.

The police are yet to make any arrests following the shooting incidents.

Meanwhile Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of crime for East Kingston, Michael Ellis says joint police-military teams are continuing random operations in the affected communities along Mountain View Avenue in the constituency.

At least four persons have been shot and injured in the Mountain View Avenue community this week.

And JLP Area Council One Chairman Desmond McKenzie says a meeting which was scheduled for 2 p.m. this afternoon with PNP Region 3 Chairman Phillip Paulwell was called off when the party hierarchy made their tour of Woodford Park.

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JLP shooting probe
The Prime Minister has instructed national security minister Dr. Peter Phillips to present her with a report on Sunday’s shooting involving alleged gunmen and personnel in a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) motorcade.

Police are investigating the reported exchange of gunfire which lasted for several minutes in Brandon Hill during a tour of the West Rural St. Andrew constituency.

Addressing supporters at a meeting in Morant Bay St. Thomas last night Prime Minister and People’s National Party (PNP) President Portia Simpson Miller said she has viewed video footage of the incident and that an investigation was necessary

Meanwhile PNP General Secretary Donald Buchanan is dismissing reports that the JLP motorcade was shot at by gunmen.

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Political parties intensify campaigning with tours
A series of rallies by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) began this afternoon.

The PNP moved its campaign into St. Thomas. After touring sections of Western St. Thomas Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will deliver the main message at a rally in the Paul Bogle Square, Morant Bay this evening.

Tomorrow the PNP will hold a rally in Lionel Town, Clarendon. On Saturday it moves into Port Antonio, Portland and on Sunday the tour moves to Portmore, St. Catherine.

The JLP has scheduled a tour and meeting for St. Catherine on Saturday, which will culminate in a rally in Bog Walk. On Sunday it will tour sections of Clarendon and Manchester before a meeting in Spaldings. JLP Leader Bruce Golding will lead the tour.

‘Outsiders’ to work garrison constituencies on Election Day
The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), announced that Election Day workers in garrison communities would not know the polling stations they would be assigned to until the morning of the election.

The EOJ intends to bring people from outside constituencies to work in those communities for the August 27 polls.

Assistant Director at the EOJ, Earl Simpson revealed that five of the constituencies were located in the South Andrew South police division. They are Western St. Andrew, South Western St. Andrew, West Central St. Andrew and East Central and North Western St. Andrew.

Mr. Simpson also announced that the electronic voting system would be used in 13 of the 19 constituencies in the corporate area.

In the 2003 local government election, the system was used in only one corporate area constituency.

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Peace move in West Portland
The political candidates for the constituency of West Portland are to appoint liaison officers in the constituency to help quell increasing political tensions.

The decision was reached during Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair’s meeting yesterday meeting with Member of Parliament Abe Dabdoub of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker Daryl Vaz.

The candidates were called to a meeting after Mr. Dabdoub reportedly refused to meet with Mr. Vaz, because he had allegedly told him expletives.

Bishop Blair says he is confident that the agreements made yesterday will help to diffuse the tensions.

Dwight Nelson opposes consolidating PAYE deductions
Opposition Spokesman on Information, senator Dwight Nelson says he does not support proposals to consolidate all taxes deducted from employees’ salaries.

Government says this would aid areas of the private sector in need of greater funding.

But Senator Nelson says such a system could result in the government investing in a particular sector for political reasons.

Senator Nelson is insisting government maintain the current tax deduction structure.

Opposition opposing National Insurance Fund withdrawals
The Opposition is taking issue with the Government’s decision to withdraw more money from the National Insurance Fund (NIF) to use outside of the purpose for which it was intended.

Opposition spokesman on Labour and Social Security Ruddy Spencer expressed concern about the announcement yeterday by Information Minister Donald Buchanan that Government would lend US$15 million to the Norman Manley International Airport Limited from the fund.

The NIF loan will have a fixed percentage rate of 8.5 per cent per annum to be paid every three months over the next three years.

The amount is to be repaid in 68 quarterly installments after the initial installment.

Last year the Portia Simpson Miller administration first withdrew millions of dollars from the Fund; at which time Government assured the money would be repaid.

Universal Access fund to collect debts
Managing Director of the Universal Access Fund Hugh Cross says steps are now being taken to collect outstanding sums owed to the entity by delinquent companies.

Mr. Cross says defaulting carriers were given a payment deadline of December 30 last year.

He says three companies are still in arrears and have been disconnected and prevented from terminating international calls in the island.

Revenue earned from the charges is being used to finance the national e-Learning project, which is part of the Education Ministry’s plans for transforming the education sector.

Mr. Cross says the Fund has so far provided financing of approximately 143 million dollars for the E-Learning Project. This compares with the estimated 50 million US dollars which was identified as the cost for the project.

The Universal Access Fund Company Limited, which was set up in May 2005, is a government entity that collects a levy on incoming international calls to Jamaica.

Revenue of $2.5 billion has been earned so far.