Evelyn Beckford (left) welcomes former Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Ralph Anglin to her house which was used as a polling station. She said her house was built in1917 and has been used for several years as a polling station. In the background is PNP incumbent
Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Tuesday | September 4, 2007
Arthur Green, Gleaner Writer
YALLAHS, St. Thomas:
Two senior citizens, John Kelley, 87, and his wife, Tilida, 92, of Newlands, Yallahs, St. Thomas, participated yesterday in the country's 15th general election.
They were taken to the polling station at the Yallahs Baptist Church by a driver, who didn't know them personally.
John, who was barely able to walk, has a hearing impediment which affects his speech and he is not able to see properly.
His wife of 71 years, was suffering from a leg injury she recently sustained as a result of a motor vehicle accident which left her almost paralysed.
The vocal Mrs. Kelley says she really wanted to vote, but would not have done so if someone had not come to collect her and her husband.
Mr. Kelley almost lost his chance to vote after he could not respond to the presiding officer's questions. However, the driver, who brought them, insisted he be given his chance and volunteered to vote for Mr. Kelley.
The returning officer, Mr. Franklyn Holness, who was on spot, reminded them of the Representation of the People's Act and the section which speaks to an incapacitated elector.
Mr. Kelley duly cast his vote, inked his finger, and was taken back home.
Voting in that cluster of polling stations was smooth throughout, except for hitches where quite a few persons were not allowed to vote because their names did not appear on any of the polling stations' listings.
