Tension in St Elizabeth South West as JLP and PNP supporters meet at nomination centre

There was tension in St Elizabeth South West this morning between party supporters of both candidates, the incumbent Floyd Green of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Miranda Wellington of the People’s National Party (PNP).

The tension stemmed from accusations by PNP supporters that their JLP counterparts failed to clear the nomination zone in a reasonable time so that their candidate could occupy the space.

Green was the first to be duly nominated at the Black River Primary and Infant School at 10:49 a.m.

The PNP supporters said the magnitude of his motorcade resulted in them being displaced and unable to gather in the designated area near the nomination centre.

“Police can’t manage this. It spoil. This a foolishness. If dem say dem a win, what this for? Dem a try intimidation,” a PNP supporter said.

The traffic congestion was seemingly too much for the police to handle.

Green and his team, at the front of the delegation, had long gone, but the tail of the motorcade was still backed up along Black River Main Street.

There was a nervous mix of orange and green clad supporters.

Wellington, who was not yet nominated, encouraged her supporters to remain calm even as tempers flared.

By the time she entered the nomination centre, JLP supporters were still revelling on the outside.

Supporters of Wellington were not pleased and blasted the police for not doing more.

Wellington was duly nominated at 11:53 a.m.

The general election is September 3.

- Andre Williams

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