#JaVotes2025 | Jamaicans with disabilities and the elderly turn out to vote in general election

Zidane Robertson, a wheelchair user from East Prospect in St Thomas, said he turned out to vote today for “a change,” especially for greater support for young people.

Robertson, 27, was among scores of persons with disabilities and the country’s elderly who joined thousands casting their votes in today's general election.

Their vote will determine whether to extend the current Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration to a historic third term or take the People’s National Party (PNP) out of political wilderness and return them to power after nine years in opposition.

"I just think that I need a change," said Robertson from his St Thomas Eastern constituency. "I'm just hoping for better, for people to have more opportunity ... I want the young people to have a future, not just to come up and be here and don't have a bright future."

The JLP's Dr Michelle Charles, who is seeking a second term, is in a battle with the People's National Party's (PNP) Yvonne Rosemarie Shaw. A third candidate in the race is Jovian Blair of the Jamaica Progressive Party.

Michael Sutherland, who uses crutches, also insisted on making his mark in St Thomas Western, where the JLP's James Robertson just completed his fifth term. He is facing Hubert Williams of the PNP.

“I am a regular voter. PNP. Never change. But a lose mi foot since June, but that didn’t stop me. That’s why a just now a get somebody to help me to come and support Rose Shaw," he said.

Among the elderly is 96-year-old Kathleen Allen, being assisted by her grandson Murphy Campbell and her 76-year-old daughter Pertine Allen to vote at the Mt Salem Primary School in St James West Central.

The JLP's Marlene Malahoo Forte and Dr Andre Haughton of the PNP are the contestants for the seat.

Also witnessed were persons being assisted by runners employed by the political parties.

One woman was lifted from a motor car to the polling station at Drapers Primary School in Portland Eastern, where the JLP’s Ann-Marie Vaz is being challenged by the PNP’s Isat Buchanan.

Over in St James North West, an elderly woman was assisted by a family member to vote at the Flankers Primary and Junior High School.

In the 2020 general elections, the JLP won 49 of the 63 seats in the House of Representatives, to the PNP’s 14.

- Erica Virtue

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