PNP could order new vote after controversy in Central St James

The People's National Party (PNP) Secretariat says there could be a new vote in Central St James if claims of corruption and irregular procedures in yesterday's poll are proven to be true.

MP Lloyd B Smith has described as disgraceful, yesterday's voting process that saw him losing 36 votes to 66 as the preferred candidate for the upcoming general elections. 

Smith says he will report to the PNP hierarchy that there was vote buying and the presence of unauthorised personnel during yesterday's internal poll. 

Smith who admits that he could have done more for political development in Central St James, says he is being opposed because of his stance against handouts and because he is non-partisan in dealing with the affairs of the constituency. 

Meanwhile, PNP General Secretary, Paul Burke, says he is aware of a report that some people may have voted yesterday without proper identification.

Burke says Ian Hayles, the chairman of the region in which St James falls, will make a report at tonight's meeting of the party's executive and if the alleged breaches are proven true, the PNP could order that another vote be held.