MOORE TOWN, Portland — The attempt to unseat Colonel Wallace Sterling as leader of the Moore Town Maroons failed on Sunday as no election was held in the community as he had vowed last week.

Police and soldiers had flooded the community in an effort to stave off any possible acts of violence as tension had continued to mount after a claim by Sterling that Maroons from other communities were trying to interfere in the election that was scheduled for May 8.

Eighteen-year-old Lomorra Dillion is challenging Sterling, who has been in office for almost three decades.

At Fellowship, about 12 kilometres from Moore Town, police manned a checkpoint where all individuals passing through were checked.

Reggae artiste Mark “Buju Banton” Myrie, who has been named among Dillion’s supporters, and two accomplices were not allowed beyond the checkpoint.

Colonel Richard Currie, head of the Accompong Maroons, who has made no secret of his opposition to Sterling’s continued rule, was spotted at Folly Oval in Port Antonio Sunday morning.

The Jamaica Observer was told that Currie was advised not to venture into Moore Town.

Last week, Sterling had blasted Currie whom he accused of trying to influence the planned election.

“For one colonel to leave from his community to come into another to decide who should be colonel, this is wrong, downright rude, out of order, impertinent and that nonsense we will not stand,” Wallace had said. “We not having an election, no election was called, there is none! Currie don’t run Moore Town so he and the persons in Moore Town who are setting date for an election, we are not having an election. They have proposed the eighth of May, but we not having any, the council don’t call an election.”

Currie, however, had agreed that he has no authority to call an election but said he was well within his right to throw his support behind a candidate he deems suitable.

On Sunday, Maroons seen gathered in Moore Town expressed support of Dillion as they claimed that Sterling needs to go.

The young girl’s mother, Annette Aarons, called attention to her daughter who was standing on the monument, called Bump, where Maroon Queen and National Hero Nanny is buried.

“I call this meeting to order; may I have your attention please,” Aarons said.

Dillion then began her address. “Good evening people, we are gathered here people of the Rio Grande Valley. I’m Lomorra Dillion who is challenging Colonel Wallace Sterling for the position of colonel. I would like to put this idea to you; is anyone here who believes that Colonel Wallace Sterling is doing anything good for the Rio Grande Valley? Please, raise your hand.”

A number of the Maroons responded “No”.

“Do you guys feel it is time for a change and you should elect me as your new leader of the Rio Grande Valley?” Dillion asked.

“Yeah, ye,” some replied.

“Let’s put it to a vote,” she then said.

Sheets of paper were circulated with a photograph of Dillion and Sterling for Maroons to choose. At 5:38 pm it was announced that all the papers marked were in favour of Dillion.

She then said that this was the beginning as there will be a meeting to finalise what had transpired.