Assamba’s withdrawal may delay PNP’s announcement of candidates
PLANS by the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) to name its slate of 60 candidates for the next general elections at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting this weekend have been upset by Aloun Assamba’s announcement that she will not be seeking re-election.
Chairman for PNP Region One, Mark Campbell, said he did not believe the process to find a replacement would be completed in time for the NEC meeting. In fact, he said it could take up to four weeks to confirm a candidate.
“There was no one pressing her for the post, so the party will now look to the executive and the leadership of the constituency to identify a comrade who might have an interest,” Campbell told the Observer.
Assamba, who is the tourism minister and member of parliament for South East St Ann, announced last weekend that she would not seek re-election following continuing protests by some of her constituents against her representation.
The continuing unrest culminated on October 12 when scores of placard-bearing PNP supporters marched through Claremont – where the constituency office is located – expressing dissatisfaction with Assamba’s representation.
But on November 13 the PNP said it was standing by Assamba as she was the party’s candidate in that constituency.
Her announcement not to seek re-election came a week later.
During the period of the protests, there was no indication of an heir apparent to Assamba in the PNP stronghold. And, despite her name being mentioned, councillor for the Ocho Rios division, Carol Jackson, repeatedly denied that she was interested in the job.
Dr Francis Barnett also told the Observer that he had no interest in becoming the party’s candidate.
Meanwhile, Campbell has expressed confidence in the PNP retaining the seat in the next general elections.
“Of course we will retain it; without a doubt,” Campbell asserted.
“We have all confidence that the PNP will again win the seat. We still have strong support, the people have not switched allegiance, it’s not the party they have difficulty with,” he added.
