DR. KENNETH Baugh, general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, promised yesterday that the race between Edward Seaga, the incumbent, and Mike Henry, the challenger, for the leadership of the party, would be above board and fair.The conduct of the election, scheduled for Saturday, will have several safeguards to ensure a free vote, said an obviously upbeat Dr. Baugh. "We are repeating what we did last year, only improving on it."
The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), which is overseeing the election, will provide presiding officers and poll clerks for all the polling stations. In addition, it will be responsible for the voters' list, which has been drawn from the party's delegates' list.
"Right now our concern is to make sure the democratic processes are clear and transparent and everybody can be assured that there is no coercion or intimidation or any interference and that Mr. Henry can be assured of his democratic right to contest this election," Dr. Baugh told journalists yesterday at The Courtleigh hotel, New Kingston.
Each delegate will have to show proper identification before he is allowed to vote, Dr. Baugh said. However, where there is no identification, the voter will be able to cast a ballot only if there is agreement between the candidates' agents or the constituency caretakers.
Dr. Baugh said police, a private security firm, personnel from the party, and the candidates, would provide security for the poll which falls on the first day of the party's two-day annual conference at the National Arena, Kingston.
The party's deputy leaders, including Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Edmund Bartlett and Derrick Smith, yesterday threw their support behind Mr. Seaga, who has led the party for the last 25 years. Should Mr. Henry be defeated, he would be welcomed to stay and work for the building of the party, they said.
Mr. Henry, who had objected to deputy general secretary, Arthur Williams being named director of the election, reportedly backed off this stance in a meeting with the party and EOJ officials Wednesday night.
Asked yesterday whether he was satisfied that the poll on Saturday would be free and fair, Mr. Henry said he still had a "few concerns" but he was waiting on a report from his team before signing off on the mechanisms which have been put in place.
