With sunny conditions prevailing, there was a slow but steady flow of voters turning up at all 104 polling divisions in the battleground constituency of St Catherine North Eastern during the first hour of polling.
It was clear that voters were mindful of the COVID-19 protocols; all wore masks and were observing social distancing as they lined up to cast what could be a very consequential vote for the candidate of choice.
The constituency of 23,494 electors that could decide the balance of power in the nation's Parliament is being contested by newcomers Kerensia Morrison, for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), and Oswest Senior-Smith, representing the People's National Party (PNP).
Returning officer Michael Terrelonge told The Gleaner that there had not been any major problems associated with the start of voting so far.
"So far, so good. All my election day workers are in place at all 107 polling stations, housing 104 polling divisions. Our COVID-19 protocols are being strictly observed," he said.
At the Riverdale Health Centre, where six of the polling divisions are located, outdoor agents for both political parties said that while the turnout has been slow in the first hour, they have seen early evidence of voter enthusiasm. By their count, just over 100 persons voted in the first hour.
"Our runners are slowly working on bringing out the numbers. We expect to do well," said cluster supervisor for the JLP, Vernon White.
PNP cluster supervisor Rosalyn Gordon expressed similar sentiments while adding that her ground operation “is second to none”.
The PNP is trying to change the dynamic in the predominantly rural farming constituency, where the JLP has won 11 of 15 general elections held in the constituency since 1944. No elections were held in 1967 and 1972 due to boundary realignment.
The big test will be whether Senior-Smith's promise of addressing the persistent water crisis, poor road conditions, unemployment, lack of training programmes for the youth, and Internet access in a constituency that has been mired with these problems throughout the years of JLP dominance will be sufficient to change minds.
Morrison, on the other hand, has embraced the problems and assured voters that a new JLP administration, with her as member of parliament, will address them.
Both candidates are making their second attempt to enter Gordon House. Morrison was defeated by Natalie Neita in neighbouring St Catherine North Central in 2016, while Senior-Smith was defeated by Shahine Robinson in St Ann North Eastern in 2007.
Morrison is the second female candidate to contest that seat, the first being the PNP’s Phyllis Mitchell, who was successful against Anthony Johnson in 1993 by a margin of 160 votes.
In the 2016 general election, the seat was won by Leslie Campbell, who had taken over from Gregory Mair by a mere 122 votes. Campbell polled 5,885 votes to Phyllis Mitchell's 5,763.
St Catherine North Eastern
2020
PNP - Oswest Senior-Smith
JLP - Kerensia Morrison
2016
PNP - Phyllis Mitchell - 5,763
JLP - Leslie Campbell - 5,885
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