SPALDINGS, Clarendon: THE NATIONAL Democratic Movement (NDM) did not nominate any candidate for the upcoming Local Government elections in the four divisions of the North West Clarendon constituency.

Michael Stern who represented the NDM/NJA in the October general election told The Gleaner that the scarcity of funds to carry out proper campaigning in the divisions did not allow the party to put up any candidates.

Mr. Stern who polled less than 200 votes in the October poll, told The Gleaner that, although the NDM has competent persons who could be put forward for candidacy, it made no sense to have them contest the local polls without sufficient funds to effectively campaign.

QUALITY TIME IN BUSINESSS

Mr. Stern who, according to reliable sources in the constituency has not been very active on the ground since the general election, said he has been spending quality time in his business, but still continues to be active in the NDM.

He stated that with the NDM not having any candidate in North West Clarendon, it would be of much benefit to the People's National Party candidates, as supporters of the NDM in the constituency were mostly former PNP supporters who would not want to give the Jamaica Labour Party their vote.

However, sources inside the JLP in the constituency have indicated that, most of the voters who would normally go to the NDM have started to support the party and, from indications on the ground, the JLP could retain all three divisions won in the 1998 Local Government election.

Mr. Stern noted that the PNP, which won only the Spaldings division in the last Local Government elections, could win two out of the four this time around, with the JLP winning the other two in close races. He said the PNP could win the Spaldings and the Ritches divisions, with the JLP winning the Frankfield and Thompson Town divisions.