The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reporting that they have “deployed” a strong presence in the North East St Ann North East constituency to maintain order during the ongoing by-election.
Polls opened at 7am on Monday, and so far, voting has been slow for the most part at most of the polling stations there.
The by-election, which was triggered by the sudden resignation of incumbent MP Marsha Smith on September 3, sees three candidates vying for the seat.
They are independent contender David ‘Five Pound’ Anderson, Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Matthew Samuda, and Chase Neil of the United Independents’ Congress (UIC).
The JCF, in a statement on Instagram page on Monday, said their officers’ proactive measures include patrolling key areas, and monitoring polling stations to deter any potential disruptions.
“Police personnel are engaging with the community, reassuring voters of their safety as they exercise their democratic rights. This commitment to security reflects the police’s dedication to facilitating a smooth electoral process,” the constabulary said.
The force said it is also coordinating with election officials and local stakeholders to address any concerns promptly.
“The incident-free start of the by-election is a testament to effective planning and execution of security measures, allowing citizens to participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation,” the JCF said.
Voting is expected to close at 5pm, after which the counting of the ballots will get underway.
Samuda is widely expected to be victorious at the end of this evening’s count.
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