'I am going there to win' - Dennis Messias

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Sunday | July 29, 2007

Under the Representation of the People Act, candidates must pay $3,000 to be nominated in order to run as a candidate for an election. The money is only refunded if the candidate polls one eighth of total votes cast.

After the 2002 general election, Dennis Messias lost his nomination deposit - all of $3,000.

He polled 1,220 votes, but needed a minimum of 1,696 votes to get back his money. The greater reward, however, would have been a place in the country's Parliament, if he had beaten Dr. Omar Davies for the St. Andrew South constituency, which comprises communities such as Jones Town, Trench Town, Admiral Town and Arnett Gardens.

It is almost five years later, and Messias has returned. However, losing his deposit is not on his mind this time around.

"I think I can win and that is why I am running," Messias told The Sunday Gleaner.

When he first ran in 1997, he polled 1,206 votes to Dr. Davies' 14,084.

"That constituency is a garrison, a dominant PNP area, but with the present situation inside there now, I know I have a chance," Messias said.

Currently, a superintendent in charge of cemeteries at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, Messias is the bishop of a revival church and a Justice of the Peace.

He say the constituency is a tough one, he is campaigning and is expecting a good result come election day, August 27.

"I have the greatest of respect for Mr. Davies, but there are so many things in the constituency to do, and I am going there to win and do these things," Messias says.

"There is a lot of change taking place there; a lot of people saying they are not going to vote and a lot saying they are going to vote against Mr. Davies ... this will help me," Messias said. "Mi nah just run fi run sake. It is my ambition to go to Parliament too."