#JaVotes2025 | Burchell aiming to be St James Southern's first female MP
Published:Wednesday | September 3, 2025 | 4:40 PM
Nekeisha Burchell, the People's National Party's (PNP) candidate for St James Southern, is anticipating that her victory at the polls in today's general election will make her the constituency's first female member of parliament.
Speaking to The Gleaner while attending today's voting activities at the Garlands Primary School's polling station, Burchell said she aims to have her expected victory portray her as a role model for other females in the constituency, including young girls.
"I feel as if I am carrying on the legacy of Nanny of the Maroons, and of course 'Sister P,' Portia Simpson Miller (former prime minister). We women have not really had that kind of opportunity to stand tall in the leadership role in this constituency, and I am hoping I can break that, not just for me personally, but for all the little girls and other women who have been told they are not enough and that they cannot do it," said Burchell.
"If I am elected to be the first female representative of this constituency, I am not going to let them down. I am going to fight for them," Burchell added confidently.
St James Southern has historically been represented by male MPs on both sides of the political divide, including past PNP MP Derrick Kellier and the Jamaica Labour Party's incumbent Homer Davis.
Commenting on the voter turnout since the polls were opened at 7a.m. this morning, Burchell said that the number of PNP supporters she has seen is an encouraging sign for the party's chances of victory, despite reports of voter suppression in some locations.
"I do think that the people are saying that they want someone with a little more fire, passion, fight, and some grit– someone who understands the issues here intimately because they are also her issues," said Burchell.
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