High Tension Across Island As Votes Are Being Recounted
There is now strong emotional tension across the island as Jamaicans await the recounting of ballots to take place in some constituencies.
Fears of violence erupting have heightened following the announcement that the PNP’s Dr. Wintson Green had retained the St. Mary South Eastern seat after the votes were recounted. He prevails over Dr. Norman Dunn, who was declared the winner on Election Night.
That result places the PNP just one seat behind the JLP, for a 32-31 split of the 63 seats in the national parliament.
All eyes are now on the recount taking place in respect of St. Thomas Western, where the JLP’s James Robertson was declared a narrow winner on the preliminary count. The recount has been halted and the ballots have been transferred to Kingston, where the counting will resume on Monday morning.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has issued a statement requesting Jamaicans to remain calm.
“All Jamaicans have a responsibility to ensure that Jamaica’s reputation as a mature democracy is preserved and nothing causes hurt to anyone,” said Mrs Simpson Miller.
She added that Jamaica has made important economic gains, “which it cannot afford to reverse at this time and everyone must ensure that we put Jamaica first.”
