MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Voting has been off to a smooth start in the New Green and Spur Tree Divisions in Manchester North Western for Monday’s local government election.

Observer Online visited the Hatfield Primary School in the Spur Tree Division where electors who voted said the process was smooth sailing.

“I got here from 6:40 am to be early. I got through within about 10 minutes after the polls opened at 7:00 am. The process was simple, quick and smooth,” an elector told Observer Online.

He was among 30 people observed waiting in line at the opening of the poll.

The Spur Tree Division is being contested by candidates Ryan Peart of the People’s National Party and Lincoln Holloway of the Jamaica Labour Party.

Peart is a cousin of former House Speaker and Manchester Southern Member of Parliament Michael Peart and former Manchester North Western MP Dean Peart.

At the last local government election in 2016 the PNP’s Ervin Facey, a former deputy mayor, had won the Spur Tree Division.

Over at the Pastor South’s Church on Knowles Road in the New Green Division four people were observed waiting in line to get through about 7:30 am. Fifteen people had already voted at the location by then.

The New Green division is being contested by Andrew Smith of the PNP and Heston Dwyer of the JLP.

At the last local government election in 2016 the PNP’s McArthur “Jimmy” Collins had won the New Green Division.

-Kasey Williams