MANDEVILLE, Manchester — People’s National Party (PNP) heavyweight and Member of Parliament-elect for Manchester Southern Peter Bunting woke up Thursday morning, a day after Jamaica’s 19th general election, with a “bittersweet” feeling.

“On a national level, obviously we didn’t get the result we would have hoped for and the only conciliation is that we more than doubled our representation in the Lower House, and I think that gives us a platform to continue building and to be a strong Opposition and a voice for the people, especially in containing the abuse and corruption of the executive. Nevertheless, we respect the will of the people overall. I hope that this Government will do the right thing and help us all move the country forward,” he said in reference to the preliminary five-seat win by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) over the PNP in Wednesday’s polls.

Based on the preliminary numbers from the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), Bunting won the Manchester Southern seat polling 8,573 votes against the JLP’s Ian Ives who polled 7,903.

But Bunting told the Jamaica Observer, “It is a bittersweet feeling for me this morning. I am obviously very grateful and honoured that the residents of South Manchester have given me the opportunity to represent them in Parliament and I will work assiduously to prove them correct in their choice.”

Bunting is the first person in Jamaica’s recent political history to be elected to serve in Parliament for three different constituencies.

He was first elected on a PNP ticket in 1993 when he defeated former Prime Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer in Clarendon South Eastern.

Bunting served one term before leaving representationalo politics to concentrate on his business. He returned to the political battlefield in Manchester Central in 2007 and won the seat, which he retained in two subsequent elections.

In 2020, Bunting went for a fourth-straight win in the constituency but lost to political newcomer the JLP’s Rhoda Moy Crawford who polled 8,139 votes to his 6,989.

He then set his sights on Manchester Southern and on Wednesday returned to winning ways.

“I heard on the media when the seat was declared that I am the first person since 1944 to represent three different constituencies, but it is certainly unusual if I am not the only one… It is interesting to have that unique political resume.

“However, those who know me from high school will tell you [that] the caption in my fifth-form graduation yearbook was future in politics and a couple times I have tried to step back or potentially step away, but the passion for service and for representation is obviously in my blood, in my DNA, so somehow I always come back to being a party man, giving my service to country through politics and the vehicle of the People’s National Party,” said Bunting.

The former PNP general secretary told the Observer that despite the defeat he is pleased with the campaign run by his party and is optimistic that it has a great future.

“I must say, even in the hurt of our national defeat I can say that I have never been prouder to be a Comrade. I am proud of the campaign that we ran. I have shared with my colleagues that defeats are not what defines leadership, it is character, and I am very proud of the campaign we ran. I think it was a good campaign, it was a clean campaign, and our candidates distinguished themselves with their passion, purpose, and character.

“So I have never been prouder to be a Comrade and I think we have a great future as perhaps the oldest and largest political movement in the English-speaking Caribbean,” said Bunting.

He singled out PNP President Mark Golding and General Secretary Dayton Campbell for commendation for their work during the campaign.

“Nothing is perfect, but as close as I can tell we ran an outstanding campaign. The leader demonstrated a sort of strength of character and discipline and capacity for work that was just amazing. The general secretary and the campaign team made some outstanding calls, I think,” said Bunting.

“We had a campaign that was run largely on passion, commitment to a progressive platform for the people of Jamaica, and relatively little resources, notwithstanding that we picked up 15 seats. I think that is a testament to a very strong. well run campaign and one that leaves nothing to be ashamed of,” he added.

With the EOJ reporting that the preliminary voter turnout was approximately 39.5 per cent, Bunting believes many electors were frustrated with long waiting times to cast their ballots.

Early Wednesday Bunting had predicted a high voter turnout based on the long lines at polling stations at the opening of polls.

“It was very puzzling, because I have voted at the same station for the last four general elections and a similar amount for local government elections and when I arrived there it was the first time to see a long line already. I am usually either number one or two to vote in my particular polling station, so just seeing that early rush [had] suggested to me that there was going to be a stronger than usual turnout,” said Bunting.

He added that he received complaints from Manchester Southern and other constituencies across the country regarding the lengthy wait to vote.

“I think we as a Parliament need to have a serious look at the ECJ (Electoral Commission of Jamaica)”, at the systems that we use for our elections. I don’t think it is good for democracy to make it difficult for people to vote and there are many innovations that have come up in other democracies that we should examine.

“I think one [innovation] perhaps might be some provision for early voting. Another might be just to put more resources to have more presiding officers and polling clerks to split [polling divisions]… but to me it is unacceptable that in 2025 we still have people waiting, especially the elderly, persons who have to go far away to work, that they spend the three hours which would allow them to commute back and forth to work and to vote, but they spend that three hours just in the line, that is absolutely unacceptable. I think we need to take a serious look at modernising our voting process,” added Bunting.

When asked about his strategy for victory in Manchester Southern Bunting said the PNP narrowed the gap in the Grove Town Division, a traditional base for the JLP, and gained strength in the Porus Division.

“Then we would go into Newport and Alligator Pond with a strong lead. Yes, that occurred in Newport. Alligator Pond I am still looking closely at what happened in the Alligator Pond Division where we only won marginally… The JLP candidate is from that division,” said Bunting as he recognised Ives.

“I want to also acknowledge him. I believe everybody who participates in the electoral process at the representational level puts themselves out there and takes a risk and works and I want to reach out to him and tell him that it was a race well-run… I know for him and for all the candidates in both parties who may have been disappointed I want to encourage them, win, lose or draw. You have done a great service to democracy and to the country,” added Bunting.

Peter Bunting addressing the People’s National Party’s parish rally in Cross Roads, St Andrew, last month. Bunting, who won the Manchestern Southern seat in Wednsaday’s general election, said the party “had a campaign that was run largely on passion, commitment to a progressive platform for the people of Jamaica”. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

People’s National Party General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell addressing Comrades at the party’s headquarters in St Andrew on election night. Campbell was commended by Peter Bunting for the work he did during the campaign. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)