VOTER INTIMIDATION IN ST MARY

The police say they have recieved reports of voter intimidation in St. Mary South Eastern where a by-election is taking place.

Assistant Commissioner Norman Heywood, head of the Area Two Headquarters, said the police have been kept busy since Monday morning trying to ensure that supporters of both major political parties adhere to the law.

He said there have been reports from both parties about “some form of intimidation or another”.

“We have investigated all of them and the investigations will continue and those reports that are to be referred to the Ombudsman, will,” he declared.

ACP Heywood said the police have also found breaches of the Representation of the People’s Act “because there were persons who were seen in party colours, in mini motorcades (with) party paraphernalia.”

Meanwhile, no parking will be allowed in the town of Annotto Bay at the close of the polls. This is to avoid congestion, to ensure all boxes in the constituency arive at the counting centre without delay, and to protect commuters who might get caught in the space at the end of the poll, the Area Two head asserted.

Steadily increasing

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), in the meantime, has reported that voter turnout has been steadily increasing across all three constituencies where by-elections are currently underway.

Up to 11 o’clock, 12,919 persons had voted out of 74,454 registered voters. This represented a turnout of 17 per cent.

Director of Elections Orrette Fisher said St. Mary South Eastern has seen a greater turnout of voters, when compared with St. Andrew Southern and St. Andrew South Western.