#JaVotes2016: Slow Start at polling stations in East Portland

Election day 2016 was off to a slow start at some polling stations visited by The Gleaner in East Portland.

At Ken Wright Primary, voting was delayed despite the polling station opening on time.

Election day workers along with the police were on location; however, the presiding officer was absent and ballot papers along with other documents had not yet arrived.

Among those arriving early to vote was Lurline Dowie, who complained that she was unable to cast her ballot, as they were unable to accommodate her due to the absence of ballot papers, ink and other material.

A similar situation also existed at a centre at Breast Works, where the voting process was delayed for more than 30 minutes.

It was somewhat different at Boundbrook Primary, Port Antonio High, Hill Preparatory, Port Antonio Primary and Norwich Primary, where polling stations were opened on time and voting was progressing smoothly.

Both candidates for the area, Linvale Bloomfield of the Peoples National Party (PNP) and Derron Wood of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) coasted their votes at Drapers All Age.

Bloomfield is confident of victory and predicted that his margin of victory will be larger than in 2011 when he defeated Patrick Lee by 1246 votes. Wood on the other hand has indicated that he will create a major upset.

EAST PORTLAND CONDADATES

JLP: Derron Wood

PNP: Linvale Bloomfield