St James West Central
Cool confidence from Malahoo Forte
Published:Tuesday | August 19, 2025 | 12:09 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
Bell in hand, Marlene Malahoo Forte stood in a sleek open-top BMW SUV, dressed in white, as jubilant Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters waved flags and danced outside the Catherine Hall Primary nomination centre in St James West Central yesterday.
However, while her base erupted in chants of “1 p.m.” and “Third term”, Malahoo Forte remained the cool operator; calm, composed, and quietly confident as she prepared to be nominated for a third term.
It will be her third time facing the polls in this battleground constituency, and she arrived on time for nomination, flanked by a well-prepared team ready to escort her into the office of the returning officer. If there was any nervousness, it did not show. Instead, she exuded quiet assurance, her attire marked only by the word ‘Love’ in green, a subtle nod to her party’s colour.
Her supporters, however, were in full celebratory mode. Music blasted from car sound systems, vuvuzelas blared, and green flags whipped in the breeze. Among the standouts was Bella, a Pomeranian decked in party colours, who trotted proudly beside her owner Kimone Rhasba, drawing cheers and smiles from onlookers. The scene was one of festivity, signalling confidence in Malahoo Forte’s chances of securing another victory.
The JLP incumbent has reason to be confident. In the 2020 general election, Malahoo Forte polled 6,144 votes (58.33 per cent), defeating her then challenger, Dr Andre Haughton of the People’s National Party (PNP), who received 4,389 votes (41.67 per cent).
That result represented an improvement over 2016, when she won the seat with 6,589 votes (55.19 per cent) against Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams of the PNP, who garnered 5,310 votes (44.48 per cent).
The margins, roughly 10 to 14 percentage points, have been relatively narrow, underlining why St James West Central is regarded as a true battleground constituency. Both parties have strong ground support, making the race one of the most closely watched contests in western Jamaica.
After completing the nomination process, Malahoo Forte told The Gleaner her focus remains on service.
“My constituents can be assured that I will always work in their best interest,” she said. “A victory is not for boasting, it is for preserving purpose, so that I will always do good by the people and bring them glory.”
When pressed about her confidence in retaining the seat, she offered little beyond her steady composure.
“Just wait and see,” she replied with a smile. “On the day of the polls, the results will tell.”
For Malahoo Forte, the campaign is less about personality than about duty.
“These offices are not about the MP,” she said firmly. “They are really about the people. And the people will speak.”