#JaVotes2020 | Social Distance Yes, But Slow Pace Turn Away Voters

By: Admin

Image caption: Gladstone Taylor/Multi Media Photo Editor Voters observe social distancing measures at Mona High school as they wait to to enter the St Andrew Eastern polling station.

Andre Williams/Gleaner Writer

Voters at the St Margrets Church in the Mona division of the St Andrew Eastern Constituency, were practising social distancing, however, it was the slow pace of the voting process, which frustrated some voters into leaving without casting a ballot.

At 7:48 a.m. lines were extended from the church doors to the gate, about 70 metres away.

The compound houses polling divisions nine, eight, 12 and 23.

Nadine Shaw expressed satisfaction at the level of social distancing she witnessed.

Shaw said, “They are 6 feet apart and I like that. My only issue is the slow pace and standing in the sun.”

A disgruntled elderly supporter, who did not provide her name, said she was leaving because she was at the location for an hour and was still unable to reach inside.

“This is foolishness. I can’t be standing so long and this (line) not moving," the woman said.

Another elderly man told The Gleaner that he told some seniors who called him enquiring about the location, not to come.

He said, “This is foolishness, we need more polling stations. No movement here so I told them not to come and I am leaving.”

The seat is being contested by Venesha Phillips of the People’s National Party and Fayval Williams of the Jamaica Labour Party.

In the last General Election, the incumbent Williams won the division with 4301 votes with Andre Hylton of the PNP, managing 3856 votes.

There was a 58.12 per cent voter turnout for the Mona division in 2016.