KINGSTON, Jamaica – With only a few more days to go before the general election, Jamaica’s two main political parties are stepping up activities ahead of the long Christmas break.
A total of 1,648,036 Jamaicans will vote on December 29 for a new government. The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (EOJ) said that the list includes 41,607 new electors.
Electoral officials said that 150 candidates representing both the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) will contest the 63 seats in Parliament.
Over the past several weeks, the candidates have been on the hustings and are expected to wind down their activities by Friday ahead of the Christmas celebrations.
The JLP’s campaign director, Karl Samuda, said the final event will be a public meeting in the western parish of St. James.
“Our campaign essentially ends on the 22nd when we have a wrap up meeting in Montego Bay. Although the 23rd is a day on which activities can take place that kind of activity you will find will more relate to minor tours if there are any but essentially our campaign comes to an end on the night of the 22nd” he said.
The candidate for the West Portland constituency Daryl Vaz, says he is prepared to end campaigning as a safety measure for his constituents after one of his workers was stabbed to death while distributing election paraphernalia in Charles Town yesterday.
The opposition PNP has also said it too will be winding down its campaign as the week draws to a close.
The office of the Political Ombudsman has republished its Political Code of Conduct as part of what it says is a move to ensure Jamaicans become more aware of the breaches.
The publication came two days after Political Ombudsman Herro Blair issued a stern warning to political parties to remove party flags or face strong penalties.
Blair had said a fine of J$10,000 (US$115) would be levied against the parties found in breach of the code. (CMC)