EOJ gets cash for local gov't polls
Published:Monday | February 20, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter
A MEMBER of the Portia Simpson Miller-chaired Cabinet says the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has been provided with funds to commence its preparations for the local government elections.
Peter Bunting, who is also the general secretary of the governing People's National Party (PNP), told The Gleaner yesterday that he expects the polls to be held by the end of March.
Bunting did not say how much money had been provided to the EOJ to prepare for the elections, and attempts to contact Director of Elections Orrette Fisher were unsuccessful.
Local government elections, which have been postponed twice, are due by the end of March.
Bunting yesterday said his party was preparing for the elections and expressed optimism that it could win a majority of parish councils across the island.
"If you apply the results of the 2011 general election, I believe the PNP will have eight of the councils and the JLP five," Bunting said.
Based on the results of the 2011 general election, the PNP appears favourite to regain the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation. It won in 21 divisions compared to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which won in 18. Kintyre, located in East Rural St Andrew, contributed an equal number of votes to the two parties.
The 10 divisions in St Thomas were split evenly by the PNP and JLP. Portland saw the JLP polling most votes in six of the nine divisions. The PNP triumphed in seven of the 13 divisions in St Mary, and were strong in St Ann, winning 10 of the 16 divisions.
In Trelawny, the JLP won nine of 13 divisions, the JLP won nine of 17 divisions in St James, four of seven in Hanover, and lost all 14 in Westmoreland.
St Elizabeth was narrowly won eight to seven by the PNP. Manchester won nine divisions to six by the JLP, which also won St Catherine 22-19.
Clarendon was shared 11-11 by both parties.