INFORMATION Minister Daryl Vaz and parliamentary secretary Senator Aundre Franklyn will today face Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) delegates in a battle for the position of general secretary, as the party approaches the tail-end of its first political term in power after nearly two decades.

Arguably one of the most influential positions in the party, it is one of at least six to be filled in today’s elections to be conducted by the party’s internal election machinery, headed by Senator Arthur Williams.

JLP insiders say the election is a straight fight between Vaz and Franklyn, the latter being parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Health and who served for seven years as deputy to outgoing general secretary Karl Samuda.

Samuda said he is expecting today’s election to have a high voter turnout, because of its significance.

“I expect all delegates who are eligible to vote will vote. As far as I know, the only party official who has said he will not vote is the prime minister. But every other officer and official with a vote is expected to vote,” Samuda said Friday in an interview with the Sunday Observer from Guyana where he was on government business.

“Everything is in place,” Samuda added. “We have done all that we can to make sure that we have an election whose results will be accepted by all the contestants.”

He said he was scheduled to arrive in Jamaica by midday yesterday in time for today’s election.

The information minister comes into the election under a cloud of controversy after being involved in a verbal spat with executive editor of the Sunday Herald newspaper Christene King, which saw both complaining to the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ).

King has accused the minister of verbal abuse at a function in Montego Bay, but he has denied her version of events.

His supporters inside the party say this controversy is not enough to prevent an outcome in his favour.

Propelled by the weight of support within the young professional arm of the party, Generation 2000 (G2K), JLP sources say Vaz will be striding confidently into the general secretary’s role.

G2K president Delano Seiveright said yesterday that Vaz is the right man for the post.

“He represents renewal, change and transformation. He has performed extremely well, given the very challenging circumstances as a Cabinet minister; as a member of parliament and as deputy treasurer of the JLP,” he told Sunday Observer.

“Further, he has the ability, intellect and unique traits and skill sets that will augur well for the party’s future election successes,” added Seiveright.

He said that Vaz has, “after many internal consultations with JLP functionaries, developed a clear plan and vision for the party going forward”.

“We won’t be disappointed,” he insisted.

Vaz, too, is expressing confidence ahead of today’s polls.

“I am tidying up all the loose ends in terms of procedures for the elections. I have done my road show; I have done my presentations; and I have put my plans to the Central Executive delegates in terms of my plans going forward,” Vaz said yesterday.

He also said he has met with the delegates in every parish, making presentations on what he considers to be the way forward.

“What is important, first of all, we have to get back to the basics, which is political organisation,” said Vaz. “We have been tied down with government, because of the challenges which have faced the country and the world in recent times.”

He said the JLP must put a strong party organisation in place that will be driven from its headquarters, which will run a parallel structure to do political work as well as government work.

During a television appearance on the current affairs programme Impact last Thursday night, Vaz said he has risen in politics despite carrying several ‘monkeys’ on his back.

He described his successes to date as having the political acumen to ward off all such ‘monkeys’.

But two Franklyn supporters, who asked not to be named, said the senator was not to be underestimated.

Franklyn was credited with directing the party’s political campaign which led to its winning the 2007 general election after 18-and-half-years in opposition.

His supporters say he has strong organisational capabilities, commands strong support at the grassroots level of the party and could upset Vaz. Appearing also on the television programme Impact, Franklyn said he was instrumental in paving the way for the return of Vaz to the party.

“Aundre is an influential behind-the-scenes man. He is the trade unionist, the bargainer, the person who cuts and paves, giving a little here and there, to satisfy everyone. Those are the first traits of a general secretary. You have to know who to pacify,” said a delegate who calls himself a strong Franklyn supporter.

With Samuda stepping down, he said the party needs new energy and determination to steer it in the next “two crucial years”.

“Vaz’s plate is full. He has his ministerial portfolio and he has constituency responsibilities. The next two years will be crucial for the party and he is already the face of the government. He will not have the time to do what is required. It does not make sense he is elected and Franklyn does the work,” the other Franklyn supporter reasoned.

Franklyn could not be reached yesterday for comment.

The long shot in the race is physician Dr Charlton Collie.

Collie has had a tumultuous relationship with constituents in Central Kingston, where he ran unsuccessfully in the 2007 general elections.

Had Collie won the 2007 elections, he would have been the first JLP candidate to win the seat in any contested elections in Jamaica since 1944.

Constituents had asked the party to remove him as their caretaker shortly after the elections, and former chairman of Area Council One, now deputy leader Desmond McKenzie assumed responsibilities for the constituency.

However, Collie and the party appeared to have ironed out their differences.

Meanwhile, seven persons have been nominated for the four deputy general secretary positions. They are incumbent Senator Warren Newby, Joel Williams, Ian Murray, Dennis Meadows, Delroy Williams, Dr St Aubyn Bartlett and Dr Sandra Nesbeth.

The party said the delegates will select the candidate for general secretary and deputy on one ballot.

St Catherine North East member of parliament Gregory Mair is expected to be confirmed as deputy treasurer as the expected challenge from St Catherine East Central caretaker Leslie Campbell appeared to have fizzled.

Long-standing treasurer Chris Bovell was returned unopposed.

There will be no battle for the post of chairman or deputy chairman as Central Clarendon member of parliament Mike Henry was nominated unopposed, while St Mary Central member of parliament Minister Robert ‘Bobby’ Montague assumed the position of deputy chairman, also unchallenged.

Outgoing deputy chairman Ruddy Spencer is seeking a trusteeship, choosing not to seek re-election as deputy chairman.

The delegates are chosen from members of parliament, senators and councillors and trustees.

No more than 180 persons are expected to vote in the elections, which are scheduled to begin by midday today.