#JaVotes2025 |Corruption, governance issues and tradition drive voter turnout St Andrew Eastern

Corruption, the need for “clear governance and ideas" and family traditions are among the things that have nudged some voters in St Andrew Eastern to go out to cast their ballots in the ongoing general election.

No incidents have been reported so far and voting has been progressing smoothly, according to election officials and outdoor agents for the two main political parties.

Kenneth Lawrence, 55, and his mother were among the early voters to cast their ballots at Mona High School.

Lawrence, an engineer, said he was “very, very moved” by the “visionary idea” to create Jamaica’s first university town in the constituency.

The proposal was made by People’s National Party candidate Patricia Duncan Sutherland.

The constituency of St Andrew Eastern is home to the University of Technology and the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies.

“I’ve travelled a lot and I’ve seen what a university town is and I believe it’s a visionary idea because other than that this area is going to be affected severely if you don’t find some way to make some economic changes,” he said.

Donald Henry, 60, said he wants Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness to serve another five-year term.

Henry marked his ballot at New Providence Primary School shortly after polling began at 7 a.m.

He said things in the constituency “nuh satisfy me as how me would a want it fi satisfy me”.

Henry said developments could have been “likkle more better”, but said “it a gwaan good still”.

“Me a vote fi me party!”, he told The Gleaner.

One woman, who did not want her name to be published, had a one-word response when asked what were the issues that convinced her to come out and vote.

“Corruption,” she said.

Claudette James headed directly to St Margaret’s Anglican Church to cast her ballot after completing her morning walk.

There was no specific issue that prompted her to vote, she said.

But James said it was important for her to have a say in the affairs of her country.

“I need to be able to demonstrate my say, my desire and how I feel about what is happening rather than to complain and not cast a vote on the decisions that are made,” she said.

- Livern Barrett and Ashanti Lawson

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