Both the ruling People’s National Party’s (PNP’s) Roger Clarke and the opposition Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP’s) Russel Hammond know that the competition for the majority of the roughly 30,000 votes in the constituency of Central Westmoreland can go either way on election day.

As such, they are busy putting in place their election day machinery, which, according to local pundits, will be the decisive factor in the toss-up for the seat, which was vacated by former PNP Cabinet minister, Karl Blythe. Both men are confident.

In the 2002 poll, Blythe won the contest by almost 3,000 votes against Trevor Brooks, a JLP lightweight in a 57 per cent voter turn-out. But since then, there have been a number of interesting developments in the constituency which could impact negatively on the PNP’s bid to retain the seat.

Among them is the decision taken last November by the PNP’s hierarchy to install Clarke – who announced more than two years ago that he was quitting representational politics – as its candidate in the constituency. The decision angered Paul Buchanan, who had fought off four contenders last September to come out ahead in the selection process. Hundreds of Buchanan’s supporters, incensed by the decision, staged two demonstrations against the party’s decision.

Additionally, constituents have been hurting since Blythe’s omission from the Portia Simpson Miller Cabinet. The downturn in the sugar sector in Westmoreland has also become a worrying factor in the PNP’s camp. But Clarke, a seasoned and very charismatic politician, is undaunted by these perceived negatives.

But will he be able to stave off the very serious challenge from the determined Hammond? The senior Cabinet minister, who was born in Westmoreland, believes he will.

“My campaign is going very well, and I expect to come out on top,” Clarke told the Observer West, adding that the response to his candidacy so far has been overwhelming.

Over the past few months, Clarke has been walking in the various communities, meeting with the local leaders, councillor/candidates and the constituents. The senior politician has also been instrumental in getting the authorities to clean a number of drains and repair a few roads in the area.

But Hammond, who is a former MP for the constituency, has been very active too. In fact, he has been vigorously campaigning there for more than one year. Additionally, the party’s hierarchy has thrown its weight behind him. In the last five months, for example, the leadership of the party has toured the constituency on at least two occasions. JLP officials have made it absolutely clear that Central Westmoreland is a seat they are expecting to be in their winning column on election day.

Whether or not the JLP will achieve this is left to be seen.

ROGER CLARKE (PNP)

Born: June 11, 1940

Marital Status: Married (two children)

Education: Mannings High School

Profession: Farmer/ politician

Work History: Worked as farm overseer for Sevens Estate; farm manager for Appleton Estate and general manager for Bogue Estate.

Clarke is currently a sugar cane farmer.

Civic/Affiliation: Former councillor for the Balaclava division and ex-mayor of Black River.

.MP for North-East St Elizabeth 1989- present

. Former chairman of the Rural Agricultural

. Development Authority’s parish advisory committee in St Elizabeth.

. Junior agriculture minister 1992-1995

. Local government and works minister 1995-1998

. PNP vice-president emeritus

. Agriculture minister 1998 to present

. Former board member of the Jamaica Agricultural . Society (JAS); National Water Commission and Rural Electrification.

RUSSEL HAMMOND (JLP)

Born: February 16,1951

Marital status: (Married) three children

Education: Grange Hill Primary

Kingston College

Profession: Businessman

Civic/Affiliation: Vice-president, National Democratic Movement (NDM) with special responsibility for

Organisation of Western Jamaica 1999-2002

NDM Deputy General Secretary, 1996-1999

NDM Shadow Minister, Utilities and Transport 1997-1999

NDM Shadow Minister, Infrastructure, Work & Disaster Management (NDM) 1996-1999

Chairman: Knockalva Agricultural School Board

– 2004-2006

PROFILE OF CENTRAL WESTMORELAND

Population: Approximately 100,000 Geographical characteristics: the area covers the commercial district of Savanna-la-Mar and includes the sugar cane-growing districts of Frome, Petersfield, Hertford and George’s Plain.

Principal economic activities: agriculture, commerce and manufacturing.

Electorate: Approximately 30,000

Political Representatives Since 1980

1980-1983 JLP’s Karam Josephs

1983-1989 JLP’s Russel Hammond

1989-1993 PNP’s Karl Blythe

1993-2002 PNP’s Karl Blythe

2002-present PNP’s Karl Blythe