PNP complains about relocation of polling station in St. Catherine South Central

By: Admin

Image caption: Submitting Vote

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) was scheduled to convene a meeting on Tuesday afternoon to iron out concerns raised by People's National Party candidate for St. Catherine South Central, Kurt Matthews, over the decision to relocate the St. John's Primary School polling station.

Mr. Matthews claims that the decision was made to move the polling station to St. Catherine High School without consultation or notice to him or voters.

He is questioning the integrity of some election officials, adding that the move could result in the disenfranchisement of over 1,000 voters.

"I had no conversation. I signed no document. The entire community is unaware. We see it as a retrograde step. I thought it was an error because I saw a document with some changes or some PD splits. But when I look at the document, it wasn't even highlighted. So we were supposed to wake up on the morning of election and find out that an entire polling station has been removed, relocated so the people of Willowdene will be affected, the people of 73, 75, 81, 83, 91, 100 and so St. John's Road. Whatever the protocol is, what I know for sure, the returning officer and the Electoral Office in the constituency doesn't have that power. Why would that action or that intent arise at this time in such a covert manner?" Mr. Matthews questioned.

Some residents who spoke with Radio Jamaica News say the move is cause for concern. Citing past experiences, they claimed when they last went to the St. Catherine High polling station, they were accused of trying to steal ballot boxes, adding that "it is a very risky place for us voters to go and vote", so they may abstain from the process altogether in this election.

It is understood that the polling station, which had been located at St. Catherine High in the past, was later moved to St. John's Primary amid intense violence and voter intimidation.

Mr. Matthews argued that voters could likely face voter intimidation with the polling station back at the high school.

He wrote to the returning officer, constituency office, as well as several other officials raising concern about the decision to move the polling station from St. John's Primary.

But Member of Parliament Dr. Andrew Wheatley has said the move is a non-issue.

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