Central Manchester - One to watch

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

The People's National Party's (PNP) Peter Bunting and Danville Walker of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) are both expressing confidence that they will claim the 'hot seat' of Central Manchester when the votes are counted tomorrow.

The two candidates have done extensive campaigning in the constituency leading up to the election day and political watchers are expecting a battle of epic proportions.

Bunting won the seat in 2007, defeating the JLP's Sally Porteous by 115 votes, but that is not a worry for Walker, the former director of elections who later became the commissioner of customs.

Walker hit the ground running after being selected to contest the seat by the JLP in early November and was very visible in the constituency on his campaign trail. Bunting and his team revved up their campaign machinery, especially after the election date was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Last Friday, Walker told The Gleaner that he has put in the work needed to ensure a victory.

"We have been walking house to house trying to get our message out. It has been exhilarating as the people are feeding off my energy," said Walker.

"I believe we have as good a chance as any. The poll has shown a dead heat, it is going to come down to the organisation on the day of election. Who is more organised (on election day) is going to win the seat in Central Manchester," added Walker.

But a confident Bunting told The Gleaner that his team has the better machinery.

"I have my own political machinery in place which I feel very comfortable is fine-tuned and properly manned. We have done our work, enumeration, our canvas in the polling divisions, plus we have strong support," said Bunting.

Four political divisions

On the ground, the battle will be fought in four political divisions - Bellefield, Royal Flat, Knockpatrick and Mandeville.

Last week, both candidates were very busy in the constituency as they walked through the town of Mandeville, going shop to shop, meeting and greeting the people.

They have also staged meetings in key communities, including Royal Flat, Bellefield, Georges Valley, Royal Flat, Comfort, Settlement and Knockpatrick.

The Bellefield division is seen as a 'PNP fortress' where Bunting is expected to win by a wide margin. Bunting also has the edge in the Knockpatrick division while Mandeville and Royal Flat divisions could go either way.

Both Bunting and Walker, in a debate organised by Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville recently, disclosed that the creation of job opportunities would be close to the top of their agendas if they are elected. They have also promised to improve the water supply in the constituency.