THE Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Ann-Marie Vaz expects the work she has done in Portland Eastern since being elected in a by-election in 2019 to be enough to see her get the nod for a second-consecutive term when she again faces the voters on September 3.

This time around Vaz will have to fight off challenges from the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Isat Buchanan and the Jamaica Progressive Party’s (JPP) Tracy-Ann Gillespie-Harris.

Vaz was the first to be nominated on Monday and she told journalists she is looking forward to retaining the seat.

“I am elated and will have to wait until September 3 to continue the work that has been started. The mood is up, and everybody is up and ready. I am overjoyed, and people have been [feeling the same way] since the date of the election was announced, and this mood will take us to victory on September 3,” said Vaz.

“We are confident 100 per cent as my work, and the Jamaica Labour Party’s work, speak for itself. And the people of Portland, I don’t have to say what I have done because it is evident for all to see — even the blind — because when they are driving now they drive on smooth road.

“The foundation has been laid and I am looking forward to the opening of the Port Antonio bypass, completion of the Boundbrook Urban Centre, the 1,000 housing development, and the development of the east harbour for cruise shipping to be completed in the next five years,” added Vaz.

“I am overjoyed as we are one big, happy family. The people of Portland have embraced and loved me, and I love them. Due to the level of investment in the parish I am looking forward to a state-of-the-art hospital as we relocate the Port Antonio Hospital,” she said.

Less than one hour after Vaz’s nomination was completed it was the turn of Gillespie-Harris, a licensed customs broker.

The first-time candidate told journalists she is looking forward to developing agriculture in the parish.

“The mood here is very calm and very good, and I appreciate especially our returning officer Mr [Gregory] Davis handling the process,” said Gillespie-Harris.

“We have to do the work; it is about the people. We put people first — and it is not going to be empty promises. We have seen the crisis with the farmers and young people, and that is in our plan to ensure that we address the issues for the benefit of our people. Praedial larceny, it is so sad when you have worked so hard as a farmer, have your produce, animal livestock, and it is stolen. This can be very devastating — and there is a family to support. We will have measures to deal with this,” she said.

“Farm roads will be looked at for accessibility to move their produce. I leave everything to God and into the hands of the people to decide, as they have a viable option, and [hope] that they will place the X beside the praying hands on election day. That’s my confidence — that the people will see an option and choose, wisely, that change that we are expecting. Listening to the needs of the people, the cries of the people, and then addressing them,” added the JPP representative.

Attorney Buchanan was in high spirits as he arrived at the nomination centre in Port Antonio.

“We are bringing out the votes; we have brought the HEAT (health, education, agriculture, tourism), and continue to bring the HEAT, and we are into the DEEP (digital economy educational programme). These are set out in my policies, and the possibilities are endless as it is a historical moment,” said Buchanan.

“September third is a formality; I am the next Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern. This is my first political career and in Eastern Portland. I am humbled when a supporter says to me, ‘I have never voted [but] I am going to vote because I believe in you and I am going to mark my X.’ It means a lot to me,” added Buchanan.

He said DEEP will be accessible to people 18 to 58, “as we are showing people how to make money in the digital space, not quitting being a farmer or your nine-to-five but multiple streams of income and financial security”.

According to Buchanan, he had a dream of distributing 3,000 computer tablets in Portland and he distributed 3,375, but this is not enough.

“Now that the technology is in the homes, the parents have access to the technology and I can show them how to use it on various social media platforms and cryptocurrency to make money. This is a part of the People’s National Party policy about the creative industry,” declared Buchanan.

The JLP’s Ann-Marie Vaz (front right) hails supporters on Monday as she is escorted by other supporters to be nominated to contest the September 3 General Election in Portland Eastern. (Photo: Everard Owen)

Jamaica Progressive Party candidate Tracy-Ann Gillespie-Harris peruses her list of nominees as Oniel Foster looks on at the Portland Eastern nomination centre on Monday. (Photo: Everard Owen)