KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tensions appear to be rising in the St Thomas Eastern constituency following a fresh wave of political vandalism targeting the People’s National Party (PNP).

Two videos reaching Observer Online show several people removing political posters and material belonging to PNP in the Leith Hall community.

In the first video, a man is seen not only dismantling PNP aspirant Yvonne Rose-Marie Shaw’s poster, but also pulling down orange cloths, the colour of the Opposition party, from nearby structures.

Across the road, a group of orange-clad PNP supporters can be seen observing the act. Visibly alarmed, one woman is heard saying, “Dem carry in some man pan we and dem a tek dung every ting — ah bun up,” in apparent reference to the sudden appearance of individuals allegedly brought into the area to remove PNP materials.

Another woman, defiantly responding to the act, says, “That cyaa stop people from vote,” while another passionately declares, “A cut him fi come cut off we clothes offa we.”

Near the end of the video, heightened concern spreads among the group as one woman is heard warning, “The one dung deh suh, him have wah gun,” a statement echoed in concerned, question-like repetition by others around her.

Whether one of the perpetrators had a gun has not been verified by Observer Online.

In a separate video obtained by our news team, several individuals are seen actively removing more PNP-related material from the roadside, leaving intact only posters of Dr Michelle Charles, the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Member of Parliament and candidate for the constituency. One woman is seen wearing a JLP-branded shirt, and a man appears to be wearing a wristband in JLP colours, further intensifying allegations of politically-motivated interference.

Just last week, the political ombudsman urged political leaders and their supporters to exercise sound judgement, responsible conduct and adherence to the principles of peaceful political engagement during the election campaign.