Power 106FM Local Election News, Wednesday December 5
Written by JamaicaElections.com
Jamaica votes again…
The polls are now open for Local Government Elections. 473 candidates are down to contest the parish council elections.
456 candidates are representing the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Peoples’ National Party (PNP), while there are three (3) from the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and three from the Imperial Ethiopian World Federation (IEWF).
11 persons are also running as independent candidates.
Both the PNP and JLP have nominated a mayoral candidate for the Portmore Municipality.
The last local government elections were held in 2003. The JLP won all the parish council seats except for Westmoreland. The party also prevailed in the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).
However, the PNP won the Portmore Municipality resulting in George Lee becoming the country’s first directly elected mayor.
The PNP later added the Portland Parish Council to its tally after Mayor Benny White left the JLP to side with the PNP, shifting the balance of power.
CAFFE ready…
The election observer group, Citizens For Free And Fair Elections, CAFFE reported that its volunteers would be in all parishes for the local elections.
CAFFE Director Nancy Anderson said despite a decrease in the number of volunteers she is confident that they are adequately prepared to carry out the task.
CAFFE also announced that a report on the September 3 General Elections and today’s local government polls will be made available early next year.
Police on election prepardness…
The Police High Command reported that its security plans for the election include particular attention to areas, which have a history of violence.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Charles Scarlett highlighted sections of East Kingston, Clarendon and St Thomas.
He also revealed the police have an organised management structure to ensure adequate coverage of the elections across the country.
DCP Scarlett also appealed to members of the public to contact 119, Crime Stop or Operation Kingfish in cases where they notice suspicious activity.
EOJ implements changes…
Director of Elections, Danville Walker for the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) revealed certain changes were now in place to ensure that legitimate voters are not prevented from casting their ballots today.
These changes should reduce the number of incidents in which political outdoor agents tell legitimate voters that they are not registered to cast their ballots.
During the September 3 General Election several outdoor agents reportedly misinformed registered voters.
Mr. Walker also urged electors to take their identification cards with them when they go out to vote.