CLARENDON, Jamaica — As the sun set over Aenon Town in Clarendon, political heavyweights from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) were already projecting confidence, bolstered by the early voter turnout during the by-election. With under 40 percent of registered voters participating by 2:00 pm, JLP stalwarts Edmond Bartlett and Dr. Horace Chang expressed optimism, attributing the turnout to the heightened enthusiasm among their supporters.
“I’m seeing the excitement on the ground. The energy is high, and it’s clear that the JLP base is turning out in full force,” said Bartlett, who was on the campaign trail visiting polling stations and interacting with voters. He went on to stress that despite the typical ebb and flow of by-election turnout, the numbers indicated a positive trend for their candidate, Suzette Barton.
“We are not just hoping for a win; we’re confident about it. The numbers we’re seeing and the response from the people tell us that Suzette Barton will win. This is a numbers game, and we’re doing the math right,” Bartlett added, emphasizing his focus on data over sentiment.
Dr. Horace Chang, General Secretary of the JLP, also weighed in, noting that the voter turnout was in line with expectations for a local government election. “What we’re seeing here is typical for a parish council election,” Chang remarked, reflecting on the turnout which had surpassed 20 percent well before the afternoon rush. He anticipated that by the close of the day, the turnout would stabilize at levels expected for local elections.
“The turnout is shaping up well, and I’m confident in the operation,” Chang said. “We’ve had no significant disruptions, and both parties are out, but we are performing well. We expect to retain the seat.”
Chang also pointed to the legacy of the late former councillor, Marjorie McLeod-McFarlane, whose death earlier this year had left a gap in the constituency. Many voters, he suggested, were motivated by respect for McLeod-McFarlane’s service, with some casting their votes as a tribute to her. “There’s a lot of love for Marjorie. Her passing has given a renewed sense of purpose to the JLP voters, and we’re feeling very positive about the outcome.”
With the ballots expected to be counted later in the evening, both leaders were resolute in their belief that Suzette Barton would defeat her rival, Delroy Dawson of the People’s National Party (PNP), and secure another win for the JLP in Aenon Town.
