KINGSTON, Jamaica — Voting has been steady throughout the morning in the St Andrew East Central constituency that is being contested by the People’s National Party’s (PNP’s) Dennis Gordon and the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP’s) Davion Vassell.

At the Foursquare Church in the heart of the Cassia Park Division, where the JLP traditionally pulls most of its support, at least three dozen mostly elderly voters were observed standing in line just before the polls opened at 7:00 am. Several were heard complaining that the process was too slow.

Some voters indicated that they had come out to vote early before heading off to work.

At the nearby Tarrant Baptist, a number of voters turned up without their voter ID cards. They were taken out of line and processed by an Election Day worker and made to join a separate line before being allowed to vote.

At 7:45 am at Half-Way Tree Primary, dozens of people had already entered the premises to vote. Outdoor agents for the PNP expressed that their supporters were turning out.

“It’s a good look so far compared to the last election,” one agent told the Jamaica Observer.

The JLP outdoor agents were more vocal.

“We like the look so far. Right now PD [Polling Division] 31 full, and we know we’re flipping the seat this time. We’re right with Vassel,” an agent said.

One middle-aged voter told our Observer Online that he does not know Gordon.

“I don’t know the man. As for the previous MP [Peter Phillips], is only certain places him used to go. Him nuh come a Cassia Park,” he stated.

Over at Dunrobin Primary, fairly lengthy lines were observed as electors, on their way to work, took time out to exercise their franchise.

Again, mostly middle-aged and elderly voters were out for the early rounds.

Derrick Wint, 70 years old, who uses a walker to get around following a stroke, said he wouldn’t miss voting for anything.

‘Mi jus haffi vote, it’s my right,” he said, adding that he has been voting since 1989.

Meanwhile, police personnel on duty had no incidents to report.

At St Jude’s Primary, a 72-year-old retiree who voted for the PNP said he did so because of the high cost of living.

“There’s also the perception of corruption on the part of those in charge,” he said.

St Andrew East Central has been won by the PNP in every contested election since it was created in 1967, when Premier Norman Manley won.

The constituency has been represented by Kenneth McNeill, DK Duncan and Arthur Jones.

The seat was held by Dr Phillips since April 1994, when he won a by-election and replaced Jones. Phillips was one of just 14 PNP candidates who were victorious in the 2020 General Election. Battling health issues, he did not seek re-election and was replaced by Gordon.

— Lynford Simpson