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Chang on polls
Political commentator Kevin O’Brien Chang says the People’s National Party (PNP) must move swiftly to stop the gains being made by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

He says the PNP should place keen focus on improving their advertising campaign and try to win the support of more young electors:

James on dual citizenship
JLP Candidate for West St. Thomas James Robertson is refuting claims that he has dual citizenship or is a green card holder of the United States.

Yesterday, the PNP reported that he is among nine JLP candidates who have dual citizenship.

However, Mr. Robertson is refuting this and says he has referred the matter to his lawyer.

Meanwhile speaking on Power 106 FM Independent Talk, Solicitor General Michael Hylton says it could be finally decided in the courts whether candidates has dual citizenship before any action can be taken.

Political dead heat on
Gleaner pollster Bill Johnson says the JLP’s favourability rating is expected continue trending upward.

His latest survey is indicating that the JLP’s is in a dead heat with the PNP eleven days before the general election.

Mr. Johnson’s poll indicates that the support for the JLP is now up to 38 per cent age points from the 34 per cent recorded in mid-July.

The JLP’s 38 per cent is just two points behind the 40 per cent that the governing party PNP now has.

But with a polls margin of error of plus or minus three per cent, Mr. Johnson says the PNP and the JLP are statistically tied.

Last weekend, Mr. Johnson and his team polled 1,008 people in 84 communities islandwide.

A detailed analysis of the findings indicates that of the persons interviewed, nine per cent were undecided electors.

Another 11 per cent said they did not intend to vote, and two per cent did not to comment.

Bruce on journalists
JLP Leader Bruce Golding has urged supporters to show respect to journalists covering the election campaign.

Speaking at a JLP rally in St. Ann’s Bay last night Mr. Golding also denounced two recent incidents involving JLP supporters and journalists.

He told the rally that journalists have an important role to play in an election.

On Saturday a member of a TVJ news crew was hit with a bottle of water while covering a JLP meeting in Montego Bay.

Yesterday a reporter from North Coast Times had her camera smashed by a flag waving JLP supporter during a tour of North West St. Ann.

Today’s Gleaner/Bill Johnson poll has the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), with a two per cent difference, closing on the People’s National Party (PNP) who have remained static with 40 per cent since the last poll in July.

The JLP have climbed from 34 to 38 per cent in that time. But with an error margin of plus or minor error of three per cent the results could be maintained as a lead for the JLP - which is the opinion of JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda.

However Mr. Samuda refused to give credence to our polls, which the JLP has consistently opposed. He reiterated that the JLP’s polls have put them ahead of the PNP but declined to reveal their results.

“The Gleaner polls? Quite frankly we don’t comment on them,” he said. “It’s in part confirming what we know, which is that we are in position to win the next election with a comfortable working majority.”

PNP General Secretary Donald Buchanan was equally adamant and expressed no concern at the narrowing poll results.

“The People’s National Party is ahead and the People’s National Party is very comfortable that this will be reflected in a win at the polls on August 27,” said Mr. Buchanan.

What’s your view on the poll? Do the JLP have the momentum or will the PNP stay the course? Have your say and comment below.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) surges - People’s National Party (PNP) stands still
The Bruce Golding-led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has, statistically, drawn level with the People’s National Party (PNP) as the gruelling electoral race enters the last lap which ends, less than two weeks away, on August 27.

Opposition better at gaining new support
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has gained more support from the electorate during the current campaign period than the People’s National Party (PNP), according to the findings of the latest Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll.

Troubled constituencies to know fate tomorrow
Come tomorrow, the constituencies of South East St. Elizabeth and West St. Thomas will know if they will be able to exercise their vote on August 27.

Parents pay fees despite Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) promise
Despite previous concerns that parents would refuse to pay school fees as a result of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) announcement that it would implement free tuition if it becomes the next government, schools are reporting that most parents have been paying up the required fees for their children.

Farming, fishing, tourism: Tufton’s vision
Should he get the nod to be the Member of Parliament for North West St. Elizabeth on the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) ticket, Dr. Christopher Tufton plans to unleash an ambitious development agenda on his constituents.

AD WATCH - People’s National Party (PNP) complains about ‘nasty’ ads
Speaking on The Breakfast Club (NewsTalk 94) Tuesday, People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Donald Buchanan complained about the “nastiness” in some of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ads in the election campaign to date.

PNP attacks on Bruce
While arguing against negative advertising, the PNP continues to attack the character and trustworthiness of JLP leader, Bruce Golding, as part of a clear strategy to dilute the mood for change which various polls indicate.

JLP dominance of billboards
One form of advertising in which the JLP dominates is the use of electronic and static billboards strategically placed to attract the attention of passers-by, whether motorists or pedestrians.

Mitchell and PM rally crowd in NE St Catherine
Her colleagues have begun calling her ‘tek eh back’ and, if crowd support in her North East St. Catherine constituency is anything to go by, then Phyllis Mitchell should very well be on her way back to Parliament.

Praying for a peaceful election
The Ministers Fraternal in Spanish Town worshipped with several candidates for the upcoming General Election at their service for ‘Peace, Unity and Protection for St. Catherine and Jamaica’ at the Phillippo Baptist Church yesterday.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) will tomorrow makes its recommendations concerning the constituencies of West St. Thomas and South East St. Elizabeth, where violence could see elections being postponed from the national date of August 27.

“We are not anywhere near postponing at this time,” said Director of Elections Danville Walker today having earlier met with Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair and the candidates from those constituencies.

His recommendations will be submitted to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, which has the legal powers to request that the Governor General delay election dates. Mr. Walker had last week reminded the candidates that such action could be taken.

Mr. Walker said the Commission decision would make their decision by tomorrow.

A postponement would allow the redeployment of sufficient security forces to ensure peaceful elections in the constituencies.

The candidates are the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Rosemarie Shaw and the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) James Robertson in West St. Thomas and the PNP’s Norman Horne and the JLP’s Franklyn Witter in South East St. Elizabeth.

Mr. Walker said he told the candidates that a reduction in political tension was necessary and that he was satisfied with their response.

Director of Elections Danville Walker is reminding voters to check their mail this week for instructions on which polling station to attend on Election Day, August 27.

Mr. Walker said that postcards containing the information had been mailed to approximately 1.3 million voters earlier today. He reminded persons living in rural Jamaica, who do not have their mail delivered to them, to check their local post office as early as Friday.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) will send election observers to Jamaica to monitor the polls on Election Day, August 27.

OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin, who will lead the observers, said two-person teams could be deployed in all 60 constituencies but that the number depended on the level of funding made available from member states, with only Canada having committed funding so far.

The OAS is also requesting local diplomatic missions lend observers during the election.

Speaking during the press conference held at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston to announce the cooperation agreement with the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), Mr. Ramdin said the OAS would prioritise ‘most needed’ constituencies. These constituencies will be assessed in partnership with the EOJ, while the OAS will also work closely with Jamaica’s Citizens’ Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), which also provides observers on Election Day.

However he stressed that Jamaica’s situation was not extraordinary and that it would also be a learning process for the OAS: “I have not seen in my experience, any election going (totally) smoothly … you come to many, many challenges on the day of elections.”

Director of Elections Danville Walker, while repeating his expectation of an efficient election, said the EOJ had similarly benefited from the knowledge gained by employees working overseas in improving the national electoral system.

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Candidates meeting on
The Electoral Commission and Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair will meet with four election candidates this afternoon to discuss concerns over political violence.

The candidates are the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Rosemarie Shaw and the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) James Robertson in West St. Thomas and the PNP’s Norman Horne and the JLP’s Franklyn Witter in South East St. Elizabeth.

Under the law the election may be postponed in any constituency where the level of violence threatens a fair contest.

Last week Director of Elections Danville Walker said the first step would be to meet with candidates to highlight the concerns about violence.

He said that if violence continues, the Electoral Commission would ask the Governor General to postpone the election in the affected constituencies until after the August 27 polls.

He said the postponement would allow for more members of the security forces to be deployed within the constituencies to ensure a free and fair election.

A Jamaica Diaspora-organised election debate held in Miramar, South Florida on July 26 was posted on YouTube.com this week.

Representing the People’s National Party (PNP) was Phillip Paulwell, incumbent Member of Parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal, while Karl Chung, a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) member resident in the United States, represented his party in the absence of Edmund Bartlett, MP for East Central St. James.

The footage is split into 10-minutes parts on YouTube (click on the window above to view part I).

EOJ, Ombudsman move to quash election violence
In an effort to end the existing political tension in two constituencies, the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) and Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, have called a meeting for today with four candidates.

‘People’s National Party (PNP) Disability Act deadline unrealistic’
Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Ransford Wright, has described as unrealistic, promises made by the People’s National Party (PNP) to pass the National Disability Act by December.

Breaking loose - Garrison youths seek to break free of political ties
His face was a study in contrasts. One moment he was a typical teenager, smiling and speaking in hushed tones with the young ladies seated on either side. A minute later his eyes were flashing with anger and resentment. Voice raised, he gestured, first in defiance, then in frustration.

Political debates and the Fourth Estate: another perspective
One position most people seem to agree on regarding the recently concluded series of political debates, is that they were entertaining although to varying degrees.

Women should rise above negative political criticisms’
Women in politics should not allow themselves to be distracted by negative criticisms, St. Lucian Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Tessa Mangal says.

Parchment praises Portia as a woman of strength
Former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament Verna Parchment has again endorsed Portia Simpson Miller for the job of Prime Minister.

Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) welcomes plan for tax break by PNP
President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Wayne Cummings, has welcomed the People’s National Party’s (PNP) manifesto pledge to offer a tax break to small hoteliers.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) backs Brazil pacts but still wary - Welcomes direct flights but cautious about opening new embassy
The Opposition is welcoming an agreement signed between the Jamaican Government and Brazil for the introduction of direct flights between the two countries, but is expressing caution about plans to open an embassy in the South American nation.

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Ombudsman meeting
Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair has called four political candidates to an important meeting for tomorrow.

They will be discussing several concerns of relating to political violence.

The candidates are the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Rosemarie Shaw and the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) James Robertson in West St. Thomas. The other political candidates are Norman Horne of the PNP and Franklyn Witter of the JLP, from South East St. Elizabeth.

Director of Elections Danville Walker has warned that the elections will be postponed in any constituency where the level of violence threatens a fair contest.