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#JaVotes2020 | Bunting votes first, predicts low turnout today

Published:Thursday | September 3, 2020 | 9:12 AM
Bunting ... voters may be fearful because of COVID-19 but his team has ensured that the necessary arrangements are made for their safety.

People's National Party (PNP) candidate for Manchester Central Peter Bunting says he is expecting a lower voter turnout this election compared to last year based on the turnout on the day when the security forces cast their votes.

On Monday, only 23 per cent of soldiers voted, while 42 per cent of police turned out.

Meanwhile, 66 per cent of election day workers turned out. 

Bunting said that voters may be fearful because of COVID-19 but that his team had ensured that the necessary arrangements were made for their safety.

"We have provided sanitisers at the polling stations, masks, and face shields... . We would not want people to be denied the right to vote because they don't have a mask," he said.

Bunting also said that extra caution would be taken with the elderly and that bigger vehicles were now being used to transport the voters to maintain spacing.

"If there is anyone with any special conditions or issues with mobility, or anxiety because of their situation, we will send a special vehicle to take them exclusively," he said.

Bunting, who is seeking a fourth term as MP, said that people are requesting that he remain in the constituency.

The candidate was the first in line at the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning this morning, maintaining the trend for the past four elections.

Manchester Central
2020
PNP - Peter Bunting
JLP - Rhoda Moy Crawford

2016
PNP - Peter Bunting - 9,376
JLP - St Aubyn Bartlett - 8,204

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