#JAVOTES2024 | ‘Politics needs more godly people,’ says voter

Some voters across the York Town division in Clarendon South Western have expressed uncertainty about retaining the seat in the People's National Party (PNP) stronghold.

This, as the expelled longstanding councillor Uphel Purcell opted to run as an independent candidate, following the PNP's decision to replace him in the division. 

Others, however, believe the PNP's new candidate, Pastor Anthony Davis, will triumph when the polls are closed.

Davis and Purcell are up against the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Omar Henry.

"Mi still a vote fi Purcell cause Davis nuh ready. PNP shoulda send another candidate in the division," said a PNP supporter who spoke on condition of anonymity. 

Another voter, Barrington Daley, said whilst Purcell had "done some work" across the division, he was not in favour of independent candidates, and so he opted to support Davis in this election, citing more confidence in a candidate who resides in his area.

He also said he believes politics needed more Christians, and as such, Davis represents a good look for the future of Jamaican politics.

"He's a minister of religion and I always say that politics needs some more godly people inside of it. If you should check the Houses of Parliament, you can count the Christians on one hand," Daley told The Gleaner outside the Howell's Content Basic School where he voted.

Daley also criticised Jamaica's two main political parties, stating that they were doing grave injustice and dishonour to councillors, as they have been set on campaigning on central government issues other than local government achievements and plans.

"They keep talking about highways and that is out of the hand of local government. Many of the things I hear them campaigning about is out of the hands of local government; they're not local government issues. All I see them campaigning on are central government issues," he said.

Earlier in the day, election day workers in the Mineral Heights division in Clarendon South Eastern bemoaned a low voter turnout, with the anticipation that the numbers would be better by the end of the day.

“The last election we had more people. This time I don't see no excitement. I don't know if it's because who represent wi, neglect wi, that's why the people dem don't want to come out. I was expecting more people because we have two representatives, but some of the voters say they don't know who they are voting for," said Sandra Wright, a liaison officer.

Mineral Heights has been without a sitting councillor since the passing of JLP councillor Milton Brown in 2020.

The JLP's Collin Coke, and the PNP's Shadiann Donaldson are hoping to be at the helm of the division's leadership when the results come in.

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