Daily Gleaner election news, Wednesday August 8
Written by JamaicaElections.com
Parties party - 146 candidates nominated - Woman killed, two cops shot
What could have been a relatively peaceful nomination day was marred by two shooting incidents yesterday afternoon in Kingston and St. Andrew, which left two policemen nursing gunshot wounds and an elderly woman dead in Grants Pen.
‘Tie would be a nightmare’
Dr. Lloyd Barnett, constitutional lawyer and chairman of election observer group, Citizens’ Action for Free and Fair Election (CAFFE), has warned of a constitutional nightmare should the People’s National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party win an equal number of seats in the upcoming general election. Dr. Barnett, who was addressing a Lions Club of Kingston luncheon meeting yesterday, said that based on a number of polls, the election is likely to be very close.
Equally confident
Political candidates in Central Manchester revelled in the spotlight yesterday as they came out to be nominated, Peter Bunting, with his head sticking out the top of a posh SUV, and Sally Porteous doing a balancing act, riding pillion on a motorbike.
Police ready!
Yesterday’s display by members of the island’s security forces was a clear indication that the lawmen are ready for any eventualities that may occur during the upcoming general election.
History in the making
A total of 146 candidates will be gunning for the 60 available seats in the House of Representatives, when they do battle in the August 27 general election. The final list of candidates was confirmed after yesterday’s Nomination Day activities.
Bruce, party supporters make merry
Nomination Day activities in Kingston Western took on a carnival-like flavour yesterday with supporters of both major political parties dancing together in the streets to popular songs used in political advertisements by both the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Portia vows to sound victory with abeng
For the many Jamaicans who have seen Portia Simpson Miller in recent days with an abeng, and have questioned whether she knows how to use it, the Prime Minister has said she will sound it on election night at the People’s National Party (PNP) headquarters.
Festival-like atmosphere in West Central St Andrew
Patrick Roberts of the People’s National Party (PNP) said he had 2,000 supporters. The Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Andrew Holness said his supporters numbered 5,000. But the police on the scene said they had far less.
All’s well in St Ann - Lisa Hanna, Peter Fakhourie register amid jubilation
Thousands of supporters of the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) turned out in St. Ann yesterday to cheer their respective candidates as each of them handed in their nomination papers for the August 27 general election.
Incident-free day in West Portland
Nomination day activities in the West Portland constituency, which was in previous weeks marred by reports of defacing of political billboards and posters, was incident-free yesterday as Daryl Vaz of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Abraham Dabdoub were officially recognised as the candidates for the August 27 general election.
A symbol of peace
People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for South East St. Andrew, Maxine Henry-Wilson, released two doves as a symbol of peace at a ceremony yesterday on Old Hope Road in St. Andrew, following her nomination as a candidate for the August 27 general election.
St Catherine candidates lead the way for peace
If the display of friendly rivalry in Central St. Catherine is anything to go by, then the August 27 general election is likely to be a peaceful one.
Picture of contrasts
There were contrasting scenes when the two candidates for South St. Andrew arrived at the Torrington United Church nomination centre.
67-y-o killed, cops shot
The colour associated with nomination day turned pale in at least two Corporate Area communities yesterday. A single bullet hole in Cecilia McCarthy’s bedroom window bears testament to another senseless killing in the island and one that has left residents of Markland in Grants Pen, St. Andrew, scared and upset.
Disturbance in ‘St Bess’
Violence threatened a peaceful day in St. Elizabeth yesterday after People’s National Party (PNP) candidate Norman Horne was nominated. At 10:42 in the morning Mr. Horne entered the nomination centre at the B.B. Coke High School in Junction, St. Elizabeth, along with former Member of Parliament Derrick Rochester and other family members, including his father, Donald Horne, who is a former councillor for the Junction division.