THERE are no challengers for the top jobs in the People’s National Party (PNP), paving the way for Mark Golding and his four vice-presidents to be returned unopposed.

When the nomination period closed at midday on Friday, the PNP Secretariat announced that Golding had been nominated unopposed for a third-consecutive term as party president.

Golding emerged victorious, after a bruising contest with Lisa Hanna in 2020, to be crowned the sixth president of the PNP, replacing Dr Peter Phillips who resigned following the party’s crushing 14-49 seat defeat in the general election that year.

Since then, Golding has been returned unopposed.

According to the PNP Secretariat, Golding’s uncontested election “comes at a crucial time for the party as it strives to address the challenges faced by Jamaica and advocate for the needs and aspirations of our citizens”.

In addition to Golding, the party’s four current vice-presidents — Donna Scott-Mottley, Norman Scott, Mikael Phillips, and Ian Hayles — have all been nominated for another term unopposed.

A change in the constitution now mandates a two-year term of office for the president and vice-presidents, therefore after their nominations are ratified at the party’s annual conference in September this year, this slate of officers will serve for the 2023/25 political term.

Nominations for the post of PNP president and vice-president opened on Monday, and the PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell has applauded the Comrades for a smooth nomination process.

“The PNP fully welcomes the nomination of Comrade Mark Golding as our presidential candidate as he embodies the ideals and visions of our party. We have every confidence in his leadership and look forward to his continued guidance. With the support of our four vice-presidents we will present a strong team, working together to achieve equality, economic progress, and a better future for all Jamaicans,” said Campbell.

In response to his nomination Golding expressed gratitude to everyone who signed his nomination form, and said he feels strengthened by the confidence bestowed upon him by the party members.

According to Golding, he recognises that Jamaica is looking to the PNP for a new direction and an opportunity for the country to move forward.

Golding said he is enthusiastic about leading the party into the next election and that he is confident in its eventual victory and ability to steer Jamaica in a new and positive direction.