PNP rules out magisterial recounts, but may go to Election Court for St Andrew West Central seat

People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding has stated that the party does not intend to seek a magisterial recount in any constituency following last week’s general election.

Further, Golding said that all but one Member of Parliament-elect on the Opposition side have written to Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, confirming their support for him to be appointed Leader of the Opposition.

He noted that the sole MP-elect who did not write to Allen is currently travelling overseas.

These disclosures were made on Thursday during the party leadership’s first press conference since its electoral defeat to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the parliamentary elections held on 3 September.

At the conclusion of the final count by the Electoral Office of Jamaica, the JLP secured 35 seats, while the PNP won 28.

Golding told journalists that legal advice received from PNP attorneys who attended the final counts indicated that a magisterial recount was unlikely to change the outcome in any of the seats.

He declined to comment on the constituency of St Andrew West Central, which was won by JLP candidate and Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness.

“The nature of the irregularities which took place there is being carefully scrutinised in anticipation of a case being brought before the Constituted Authority for appropriate relief,” said Golding.

“I won’t be able to answer any questions about that today, as the matter is with our lawyers.”

The Constituted Authority has the power to, among other things, request the Election Court to void an election and hold a fresh one if there are malpractices.

Golding added that while there is insufficient evidence to mount a legal challenge to the overall outcome of the elections, the PNP remains “deeply concerned” about the “extensive” and “vulgar” use of state resources to influence the result during the campaign period.

He also claimed that the PNP experienced “widespread suppression” of its votes across marginal constituencies.

Despite this, Golding was clear that the PNP is not suggesting the Government was not duly elected.

“I don’t want to go down that road. That’s not a wise path for Jamaica. But I also believe it’s important that we do not sweep under the carpet matters which, in this election, were significant factors at play,” he said.

- Livern Barrett

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