SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland – The governing People’s National Party’s (PNP) Dwayne Vaz will be sworn in next Tuesday as the new member of parliament for Westmoreland Central, after winning Monday’s by-election in the seat left vacant due to the passing of the PNP’s Roger Clarke in August.

Following what is expected to be a brief swearing- in ceremony, the 33-year-old Vaz will take up his seat in the Lower House.

In the preliminary count on Monday, Vaz, in retaining the seat for his party, defeated his opponents Faye Reid-Jacobs of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Independent Astor Black.

The PNP candidate amassed 8,720 votes, Reid-Jacobs polled 6268, while Black got 58 votes.

The final count which got underway on Tuesday was expected to be completed last night.

Following Vaz’s victory, PNP President Portia Simpson Miller told jubilant supporters at Independence Park in Savanna-la-Mar, that she was looking forward to having the new member of parliament in the House, adding that she was confident that he would make proper representation on behalf of the constituents.

Simpson Miller noted that during the campaign Vaz pointed out to her the need for a community centre in Hartford, as well as repairs to several roads in the constituency.

Meanwhile, an elated Vaz thanked the hundreds of jubilant orange-clad supporters for having confidence in him to continue the work that was being done by Clarke and his predecessor, former Member of Parliament Karl Blythe.

“I guarantee you I will be continuing the work of the two great comrades,” said Vaz. “We are celebrating tonight (Monday), but the real work begins this week. We all know that we have a lot to do. The community must have a say into what is happening in Central Westmoreland,” Vaz told his supporters.

He later told the Jamaica Observer West that as of this week, he will be meeting with residents in the various communities throughout the constituency, in an effort to get them involved in the decision-making process.

“The approach will have to be different. We all know the issues…. my approach will be to get the communities involved in the decision-making process. I alone cannot do it,” he argued.

The constituency which has 39,367 registered voters encompasses Westmoreland’s capital Savanna-la-Mar, Frome, Withorn, Petersfield, Cornwall Mountain, Haddo, Smithfield and several other small districts.

— Mark Cummings