MONTEGO BAY, St James — Acknowledging that retaining power will take some effort, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Chairman Robert Montague is adamant they will put in the work needed to secure the votes necessary for a third-consecutive term in Government.

He was speaking with the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of the party’s manifesto launch and mass rally in Montego Bay’s Sam Sharpe Square on Sunday night.

“We know a third term is not guaranteed. We are respectful of the views of the people and that is why we go out and canvass that view and seek their support respectfully. We don’t take it for granted,” he said.

Voters go to the polls in what is expected to be a closely contested general election on September 3. Montague explained the current status of the ruling party’s campaign.

“The JLP is fine-tuning the organisation while we have teams right across the country going into the field distributing voters’ guides, doing the canvassing, doing the things that are necessary without lots of excitement,” he stated.

“We are also doing the on-the-road campaign with community meetings, community engagements,” he added.

However, while the work continues, he believes they are on track and in line with their strategic goals.

“I believe we are getting up to peak. We don’t peak as yet but we’re getting there, very slowly and very strategically, because we know we’re still 10 days out and many things can happen in 10 days,” he said.

During the last general election, held in 2020, the JLP took 48 of the 63 seats, giving them a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives. The party chairman declined to say how many seats they will take this time.

“While we fight [for] 63… and are hopeful for 63, as long as we get more than 34 we are happy,” he declared.

A section of the crowd of Labourites who attended Sunday’s mass rally in Montego Bay’s Sam Sharpe Square.