History in the making

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Wednesday | August 8, 2007

Lynford Simpson, Senior News Editor

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.

It is expected that there will be literal dogfights in those battleground seats deemed too close to call by analysts. Despite public opinion polls showing the ruling People's National Party (PNP) maintaining a six percentage-point lead over the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), it is expected that the election will be one of the closest in the country's history. The 2002 election has been deemed the most keenly contested to date, with a mere six seats separating the parties. On that occasion, the PNP prevailed, winning 34 seats to the JLP's 26.

History beckons

For the PNP, history beckons in more ways than one. The party is seeking an unprecedented fifth term, and if victorious, it will be the first time a woman, in this case Portia Simpson Miller, would have led a political party to electoral victory in Jamaica. The PNP has won all general elections since 1989. It followed up its 1989 win with victory in 1993, 1997 and 2002. For the JLP, victory last came in a contested general election in 1980, with Edward Seaga at the helm. It won a snap election in 1983 which was boycotted by the PNP. Bruce Golding took over the reins of the JLP from Mr. Seaga in February 2005, and is seeking to break the electoral drought for the party.

Who's your pick?

Apart from the JLP and PNP which will both field the maximum 60 candidates, just who will you be voting for on election day?

The National Democratic Movement (NDM), which was in fact founded by Mr. Golding, has put up 11 candidates spread across the island. The party is peeved that it was not allowed to participate in the national debates which get under way tonight and that it was not allowed to bring in motor vehicles duty free, for use during its campaigning.

For its part, the Imperial Ethiopian World Federation Incorporation Party has put up nine candidates, and the Jamaica Alliance Movement and Jerusalem Bread Foundation one candidate each. There are four independent candidates.

There are 20 women candidates - 10 for the PNP, seven representing the JLP, one independent and two for the NDM.

With several of the PNP's old guard opting for retirement, the party has put up all of 24 new candidates. Only 26 of the 34 who won their seats in 2002 will face the starter on August 27.

Among the lot is newcomer Luther Buchanan, who entered the House of Representatives via a by-election in July 2006. He won the Eastern Westmoreland seat, replacing former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who retired in March 2006. For its part, 16 of the JLP's candidates are contesting a general election for the first time.