No major glitches out west as members of security forces, election day workers vote

WESTERN BUREAU:

There were no major glitches yesterday as members of the security forces and election day workers in western Jamaica cast their ballots ahead of next Wednesday’s general election, which will see the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) locking horns with the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

Charles Sinclair, deputy general secretary of the JLP with responsibility for Area Council Four – which includes St James, Trelawny, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth, told The Gleaner that his visits to polling stations confirmed a smooth process.

He noted however that some police personnel of varying ranks in St James arrived at their polling station without voter identification, causing long queues as presiding officers were required to administer the oath of identity, which involved fingerprinting.

“At the Montego Bay Police Station polling station, I saw a line, which was a little unusual, but everything was going smoothly,” said Sinclair. “The delays were explained by electoral officers, who said some police personnel did not have their IDs, so they had to be processed before voting, but the voters were patiently waiting and there was no anxiety.”

As it relates to ‘one day workers’ in St James and Trelawny, he said there were a few cases of logistical hiccups, as some poll clerks and temporary police officers were inadvertently left off the list. Sinclair said he raised the issue with senior officials at the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), who are expected to explore solutions to ensure those affected can exercise their franchise on September 3.

Sinclair said he was also not entirely pleased with the enthusiasm with which he said he was greeted when he visited one of the locations where members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force were voting.

“I prefer for them not to reflect political allegiance or favouritism. They must always maintain an objective approach,” he said, noting that some officers were over-enthusiastic” in greeting him, which he interpreted as a positive sign for his party.

“I’ve never been wrong in reading it,” he added, referencing the body language of voters that left him feeling optimistic.

CAUTIONS VOTING ASSUMPTIONS

However, he also cautioned against making assumptions about voting patterns within the security forces.

“You must not run out and say the police voted this way or that way. You don’t know that until after the general poll,” he said.

Collin Hitchman, chairman of the PNP’s Region Six, which covers parts of western Jamaica, also described the day’s voting as encouraging for his party.

“Everybody was upbeat and meeting their targets,” Hitchman said, referencing how accurately his party’s indoor and outdoor agents were able to correctly canvass those who voted for the PNP.

“We are very positive at this time, so positive that we will see a new prime minister in Jamaica House on Thursday, the 4th of September,” Hitchman said, though noting that some electors were frustrated by slower-than-expected voting procedures.

“It was more about people’s expectation that they would just drop in and drop out. When they had to join a line, they were surprised,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenford Miller, who heads the Area One formation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), said the overall operations proceeded as planned.

“Voting for the day started smoothly, and it ended smoothly. We had no reports of any incidents at the polling stations,” Miller told The Gleaner, while confirming reports of bomb threats earlier in the day, which did not disrupt the voting process.

In addition to regular police officers, ballots were also cast by members of the Jamaica Defence Force, district constables, polling station security assistants, and election day workers.

While he did not provide supporting figures, Miller said all officers in the Area One region were given the opportunity to vote.

“Every one of my officers across the four parishes (Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmorland) were informed and given the opportunity to cast their ballot if they so desired,” he said.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com