ST THOMAS, Jamaica — People’s National Party’s Marsha Francis today pulled a huge crowd of supporters who journeyed with her to the Yallahs Primary School to be nominated as the candidate for St Thomas Western.

However, her nomination was not without hitch as the process was first delayed by the nomination of the Jamaica Labour Party’s incumbent James Robertson, which was not completed until after 1:00 pm, followed by a glitch in her paperwork.

Francis was slated to be nominated at 12:30 but at 1:00 pm she and her supporters were still outside the centre waiting to enter.

This resulted in a tense standoff between some of her supporters and the police as they waited on Robertson to exit the facility and for the area to be cleared of his supporters.

Once inside, Francis encountered a problem with the paperwork and this resulted in a further delay. However, at 1:53 pm Francis paid her fee with three $1,000 bills and minutes later she was declared as being duly nominated.

Francis questioned why Robertson’s nomination time was allowed to run over into hers. Returning officer Franklyn Holness explained that the times were pushed back because an independent candidate, Robert Cover, was accommodated first.

Following her nomination Francis and an equally huge throng of supporters as her opponent marched into the square where the Jamaica Labour Party is currently staging a party-type meeting.

Meanwhile, Francis said she was very grateful for the support she has been receiving in the constituency.

“I am very confident and it is evident that the support is here,” she said.

As for her commitment to a peaceful election, Francis said the “PNP is known for peace and order and so I have no doubt the supporters will maintain the order”.

Ingrid Brown