#NominationDay: Soldiers bring order to unruly St Mary crowd

Annotto Bay, St Mary:

An unruly and impatient crowd forced members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) into action at the nomination centre at St Theresa's Catholic Church in Annotto Bay, St Mary, earlier today.

Soldiers and police were forced to form a human chain at the entrance to the church, as a massive crowd swept towards the centre, forcing the crawling traffic into a standstill.

People's National Party (PNP) supporters tried to push their way on to the compund of the centre as the 2:00 p.m. closing time loomed and the party's candidate Dr Shane Alexis could not enter.

PNP supporters alleged that Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters lingered in the area forcing the traffic congestion and slowing down the push toward the centre before its 2:00 p.m. closing time.

All except one military personnel was forced into action, standing behind the police who were overwhelmed by the large crowd.

Still, one soldier barked intructions to supporters who had breached the perimeter to leave immediately.

None, irrespective of stature, was spared pleasantries in the removal instructions.

It was the first time since the start of the day that the military had to spring into action.

A police reinforcement vehicle entered the compound at 1:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, Dr Shane Alexis accompanied by some of the top brass of the party entered the centre at 1:40 p.m, 20 minutes before the polls closed.

Among those accompanying him was PNP President Dr Peter Phillips.