Low key day of voting in St Elizabeth as polls close
SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth – As closing time approached reports from across St Elizabeth suggested very slow voting in today’s parish council election.
Indications were that those who voted did so early.
By mid to late morning election workers appeared to outnumber voters at many polling stations.
Afternoon rain across the parish may also have negatively affected voter enthusiasm.
Up to just before 5:00pm the police were reporting no election-related incidents.
“It has been very quiet, no incidents,” said Deputy Superintendent Lanford Salmon of the St Elizabeth police.
As a direct result of schools being closed for the day, traffic was unusually light in early morning but by mid to late morning it had built up in town centres such as Santa Cruz as people went about their business.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) controlled the last St Elizabeth council by an 8-7 majority. Most interest in St Elizabeth is focused on the Malvern Division where former West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell of the People’s National Party (PNP) is up against the incumbent Donald Simpson (JLP).
– Garfield Myers