JLP’s Chang: COVID-19 may impact election
Published:Tuesday | March 10, 2020 | 12:26 AMRomario Scott/Gleaner Writer
The deadly COVID-19 disease, now threatening to be a global pandemic, is bound to have an impact on Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ timing and scheduling of the upcoming general election, says Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) General Secretary Dr Horace Chang.
His comments coincide with the latest RJRGLEANER-commissioned Don Anderson party standing showing the JLP eight points ahead of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has both been creating havoc worldwide, killing approximately 3,900 from 111,000 infections and causing markets to plunge.
However, there are no reports that the deadly virus has hit the Jamaican shores.
Still, Chang said that while his party enjoys a comfortable lead in opinion polls, it would have to consider the impact the virus could have on the population.
If the virus emerges in Jamaica, the health hazard could complicate campaigning, as medical experts may recommend the deferment or cancellation of non-essential large-scale gatherings.
“The imminent presence of it must impact our thinking. Once it hits us, it’s a national crisis of the sort we have not seen for a long time,” Chang told The Gleaner yesterday.
“So, we have to focus. The coronavirus will impact the individual population and the broader economy, so there has to be focus on all aspects,” Chang said.
QUARTER WON’T VOTE
According to the latest polls released by Anderson, 30 per cent of respondents signalled that they would vote for the JLP if a general election were to be held now. Twenty-two per cent said they would vote for the PNP.
Twenty-four per cent of the respondents did not make up their minds, and another 24 per cent said they would not be voting in the upcoming general election, constitutionally due by 2021.
At the last opinion poll in March 2019, the JLP was ahead of the PNP by 11 per cent, but Chang believes the gap will widen when the party hits the road campaigning.
“The last time we were ahead by 11 per cent, so it’s still within the margin of error, and we said we were eight to 11 points ahead. ... We are Government, and those looking out will look on the weaknesses, whatever you do,” Chang said.
“Once you get on the road in terms of more widespread campaigning, we would see a strengthening of our position, but overall, at this point I don’t think that’s a bad position to be in,” Chang said, reacting to the polls. He added that the recent PNP bus tour, launched in late 2019, may have influenced the results.
A total of 1,038 persons were interviewed between February 8 and 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 per cent.