General Election Final Count Begins Today

Final counting for all constituencies across the island commenced earlier today. Counting is taking place in the designated counting centres in each constituency except for five – St Andrew Eastern, St Ann South Western, St Mary South Eastern and St Catherine North Eastern which are being counted at the Head Office at Duke Street Kingston; and St James Southern which is being counted at the Regional Office in Montego Bay.

The Director of Elections, as allowed under the law, took the decision to provide closer monitoring for the final count in constituencies where the preliminary results were particularly close. Based on the preliminary count, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has won 33, and the Peoples National Party 30 of the 63 seats available.

While the voter turnout was below 50 percent, the Mr Orrette Fisher, Director of Elections is pleased with the proceedings on Election Day.

“We worked with the security forces, political party representatives, observers and other stakeholders to address, in a swift manner, reports of incidents which arose. But in general we can say the proceedings went smoothly. As always whenever we have an election we must prepare for a 100 percent turnout so it is unfortunate that only 48 percent of the voting population turned out,” he said.

The final counting of ballots is expected to be completed by Monday, February 29.