BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — The magisterial recount of the March 26 local government election in the New Market Division of north west St Elizabeth increased the majority of the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Cyril Martin from one vote to two on Wednesday.

When the count, presided over by Resident Magistrate Stanley Clarke, ended at minutes after 5:00 pm, the figures showed Martin polling 1,086 to Ernest Hendricks of the JLP with 1,084. Previously, the official figures had shown Martin with 1,086 votes to 1,085.

Even as a small group of happy comrades hailed Martin for the court’s confirmation of his victory, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) deputy leader Dr Christopher Tufton told journalists that the JLP intend to take the matter to the Appeals Court and even further if necessary.

Claiming that the judge had not taken the “intent of the voter” into account when he declared a few ballots “clearly marked for the JLP” as ‘spoilt’, Tufton said “We intend to take this case to the Appeals Court and to any other court…” in a bid to have the magisterial result overturned and the rights of voters in the “democratic system” defended.

Tufton, as well as lawyer Jeremy Palmer — himself a member of the St Elizabeth Parish Council and until March 26 the mayor of Black River — said the appeal would be filed as soon as possible.

A composed Martin, the first rastafari to be elected for the St Elizabeth Parish Council, said the result was no surprise to him. He said “bad roads” in the New Market Division would be his first order of business going forward.

Martin declared he wanted to work closely with Hendricks who has represented New Market since 1998. “He is my friend and I will work with him, as a former councillor for the division (since) I believe he will have some guidance for me,” said Martin.

Declaring he was “naturally disappointed” at the result of the magisterial recount Hendricks said he was in full agreement with the party hierarchy in its bid to appeal.