JLP’s Damara Lawson wins Southboro division in final count, PNP to pursue magisterial recount

In a dramatic turn of events, the Southboro division in St Catherine East Central finds itself at the centre of attention as a magisterial recount looms following a nail-biting conclusion after Monday's local government election. 

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has flipped the division in the final count, stunning many observers.

The initial tally on Monday had declared Everton Shakes of the People's National Party (PNP) the winner by a razor-thin margin of four votes.

However, after the final count was completed, it was revealed that Shakes lost to his JLP counterpart Damara Lawson by a mere three votes.

Lawson secured 1,008 votes, edging pass Shakes' 1,005 votes.

The significance of this shift is underscored by the fact that the division was previously held by the PNP's Ainsley Parkins, whose tragic murder during political activities last year shook the constituency.

Mayor-elect of Portmore, Leon Thomas, has confirmed that a magisterial recount has been ordered for the division.

"We are confident it will be reverse at the magisterial recount. Some votes that were rejected will definitely go to the PNP when a magistrate decides the intent of the voter."

However, the JLP's liaison between the Electoral Office of Jamaica and the St Catherine East Central constituency, Leotine Hall, has a different perspective.

Hall believes that the magisterial recount will be an exercise in futility, asserting that the result is unlikely to change.

"We believe that there will be an increase for the JLP in the magisterial recount based on the number of ballots that favour the party," Hall stated confidently.

As tension mounts and both parties gear up for the magisterial recount, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on the Southboro division, where every vote counts in shaping the political landscape of St Catherine East Central.

If it remains unchanged, it would be a pickup for the JLP bringing the party's margin to three divisions and the PNP's reduced to nine. 

- Ruddy Mathison

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