Electors discuss the election. VOTERS IN Central, South Central and South West St. Catherine went to the polls in a peaceful manner yesterday battling heavy rains and some initial problems at polling stations.
A minor power problem at the heavily-policed Jose Marti High School, one of the major polling stations for South Central, resulted in some delays for people from polling divisions eight and nine, and voters had to wait until 9 a.m., at the Eltham Park Primary School, South Central, to begin casting their votes. A similar problem at St. John's Primary School occurred where voting did not start until 7:50 a.m.
Nonetheless, voter turn-out was initially high and peaceful and supervising officers reported a smooth process across the three constituencies between Old Harbour and Spanish Town until heavy rains flooded the streets around 10:30 a.m., in Spanish Town and its environs forcing most voters to find shelter. As a result of the rains, which consumed most of the morning, voter turn-out was lower than projected.
Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams and his Crime Management Unit (CMU) were stationed in the political hotspot of Central Village where Jamaica Labour Party supporters and People's National Party supporters reside in close proximity. However, SSP Adams told The Gleaner as he mingled with local residents that in his opinion this has been "the most peaceful election" he has seen. Indeed, the CMU's presence in the area certainly had its effect. Residents were crowding around SSP Adams and his team as The Gleaner passed through, intent on sharing a few words on politics with the lawman.
Trevon Garvey and Everald Warmington, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidates for South Central and South West St. Catherine respectively, both expressed satisfaction with the day's progress as they encouraged and assisted voters to "make the change".
The JLP's Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who won the Central St. Catherine seat, told The Gleaner she too was satisfied with the day's events despite some disorganisation at the outset.
PNP candidate for South Central, Sharon Hay-Webster touted a 55 per cent turn-out due to the rains and reported some delays due to the inexperience of certain presiding officers.
The mood across the area was calm, but some supporters intent on showing their affiliation were shaking bells, wearing party colours and holding four fingers aloft in the areas close to the polling stations. The rest were happy to cast their vote and go their own way.
