JLP wins by-elections in Yallahs, May Pen North divisions

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has prevailed in Friday's by-elections in Yallahs, St Thomas and May Pen North, Clarendon.

In the Yallahs division, JLP businessman John Lee restored the 5-5 tie in the St Thomas Municipal Corporation when he defeated the People’s National Party (PNP's) Constantine Bogle.

Following the preliminary count at the Yallahs courthouse, Lee polled 1,859 votes, some 59 per cent of the ballots, to Bogle’s 1,338.

In May Pen North, Tanya Lee Williams of the JLP received 1,324 votes to the 397 received by the PNP's Earl Blake.

In conceding defeat, Blake said he may have lost the votes but he is still a winner.

"I wish Tanya all the best and hope she does better than her predecessors and do something to uplift the communities and not just one," he said.

A very emotional Williams fell on her knees, tears streaming down her face, as she was announced the winner.

Lee's win means the JLP has restored its 14 seats in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation to the eight held by the PNP.

In St Thomas, JLP area council one chairman Desmond McKenzie was among the celebrants.

"The Jamaican people have responded in the only way the PNP understands and that's through the ballots," McKenzie said.

Meanwhile, returning officer for St Thomas Western, Franklyn Holness reported that voting at all 31 polling stations across the division began on time and saw a good turnout.

"Some 30 odd per cent of the people voted which is better than most national elections. The turnout was pretty good," he said.

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