NOMINATIONS for leadership positions in the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) opened but the party’s General Secretary Paul Burke says he did not expect any application forms to be returned until the final day.

Burke told the Jamaica Observer that he would be very surprised if he received an application yesterday and that it was the norm for members to submit on the final day. Nominations close on July 20.

The constitution of the party allows members to present themselves from the floor of its annual conference, which is its highest decision-making body. The conference is scheduled for September.

Since the party’s defeat to the Jamaica Labour Party at the national polls on February 25, there has been mounting pressure on party President Portia Simpson Miller to step down with some in the 78-year-old party calling for a renewal process. Simpson Miller has, however, announced that she will be seeking re-election come September.

At the same time, former general secretary of the party and former national security minister in the previous PNP Administration, Peter Bunting, has reiterated his intention to seek delegates’ approval for the party’s top position. However, he has not indicated whether he would mount a challenge to Simpson Miller.

Former finance minister and campaign director in the February 25 General Election Dr Peter Phillips, who some believe is likely to succeed Simpson Miller, has not indicated whether he would also post a challenge for the position. Sources in the PNP camp have, however, said that it is unlikely that Phillips will challenge Simpson Miller at this time.

Meanwhile, St Ann South Eastern Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna and Westmoreland Western Member of Parliament Wykeham McNeill have announced plans to vie for two of the four vice-president positions in the party.

The sitting vice-presidents, three of whom said they will be seeking re-election, include Mayor of Kingston Senator Dr Angela Brown Burke, Noel Arscott, Dr Fenton Ferguson and Derrick Kellier.

Kellier has announcedthat he will not be seeking re-election.

In the meantime, Burke is expected to resign his position but it is not immediately clear who will succeed him. Deputy General Secretary Julian Robinson earlier this year told the Observer that should a vacancy arise for the position he would offer himself as a candidate.

Robert Pickersgill is expected to go unchallenged in his position as chairman despite Fitz Jackson and Anthony Hylton indicating their interest.

— Kimone Francis