Voting underway in Local Government elections in Jamaica

Jamaica, Nov. 28, CMC – Jamaicans are voting on Monday in the long overdue Local Government elections.

The polls opened at 7am (local time) for Jamaicans who are casting ballots at 7,050 polling stations in over 2000 locations.

The contest is a battle between the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) as well as 31 independents.

A total of 489 candidates are competing for 228 divisions and according to the Electoral Office of Jamaica, EOJ, all is in place for smooth proceedings.

Via CMC

The EOJ says the electronic voter identification system will be used in the constituencies of St. Catherine Eastern, St. Andrew West Central, St Andrew South Eastern, St. Andrew Eastern, St. Andrew Western, Kingston Central, Kingston East and Port Royal .

According to analysts, the race for the councils will be a close contest particularly in the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).

Meanwhile, Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher warned voters to observe all rules regarding the voting process.

His statement follows one made by Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown that she has had several complaints in the lead up to the election.

According to Parchment Brown, some of the issues may not be dealt with until after the elections

One issue surrounds a bush-clearing programme implemented by the government that has been the source of much controversy ahead of the election.

The PNP currently holds the majority of the seats – having secured 12 of 13 councils in the last Local Government election that was held in 2012. The opposition party is also in charge of the Portmore municipality.

Local Government elections are constitutionally due every three years and one should have been held in March 2015.

The polls will close at 5pm (local time) and according to the EOJ, the outcome should be known by midnight.