By Matt Falloon and Vernon Daley, Staff Reporters 
A voter dips his finger in the indelible ink after casting his vote yesterday. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
DESPITE PLEAS from political leaders and civil society prior to yesterday's election, constituencies across the island suffered from a range of disruptive activities, according to CAFFE (Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections) head, Dr. Lloyd Barnett.
Speaking to The Gleaner last night, Dr. Barnett cited nearly 30 out of the 60 constituencies where disruptive incidents had already been reported within the proximity of polling stations.
According to Dr. Barnett, this information is based on reports from about 10 per cent of polling stations nationwide and was only 20 per cent of the information that CAFFE expect to get from observers around the island.
"It is only 20 per cent of data that we expect," he said, "but so far the indications are that there have been too many irregularities."
Among the irregularities he cited were gunshots in the vicinity of polling stations, assaults on persons, threats and disruptive behaviour.
"We are not satisfied," he said. "There have been sufficient acts of violence and intimidation to cause us some concern."
According to CAFFE, interim reports suggest that shots were fired in two constituencies in close proximity to polling stations, Central Clarendon and Kingston Western, while Dr. Barnett listed the other constituencies where problems had been reported as South Eastern, Southern, Eastern, North Eastern, Western and North Central St. Andrew, North Eastern St. Catherine, Western St. Thomas, Eastern and Western Portland, East Central and Western St. Mary, South Eastern, Western and North Eastern St. Ann, Northern and Southern Trelawny, Eastern Kingston and Port Royal, North Western and West Central St. James, Western Hanorver, Central and Western Westmoreland, South Eastern St. Elizabeth, Central Manchester, North Western, South Eastern and Central Clarendon.
"It is a pretty widespread experience of disruptive conduct and intimidation," Dr. Barnett said.
"The disruptions don't appear to be as a result of the organisation of the electoral process," CAFFE secretary Father Jim Webb told The Gleaner last night, "but rather because of intimidation by political activists."
The election watchdog said that of the 681 reports it received from its observers in the field up to about 2:00 p.m., 10 dealt with the eruption of violence; 34 with disruption of voting; while seven had to do with the intimidation of voters.
Yesterday, there were reports of shooting in some constituencies in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine. Seven people were slaughtered in the quiet neighbourhood of Rock Hall in St. Andrew. Reports are that the killings were not linked to politics. However, the incident stalled voting in the area for several hours.
Despite the glitches, CAFFE said that the overall reports from its observers suggest that the poll was mostly free and fair.
"In over 90 per cent of the polling stations monitored by CAFFE observers, the polling stations opened on time, had in place the essential materials and equipment and eligible voters were able to vote," the group said.
Director of Elections Danville Walker said the election was well run, despite isolated incidents of violence and intimidation. He praised his team of election workers who he said carried out their jobs effectively in ensuring the integrity of the polls.
"I think they did a very good job and I congratulate them," he told journalists yesterday.
Up to late last night, the Carter Centre observer team declined to comment on the polling, saying it was still receiving reports from the field. Spokeswoman for the Centre Laura Neuman, said the Centre would hold a press briefing today to discuss its view of the elections.
