By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter 
Customers at SuperPlus in Liguanea stock up on goods ahead of today's general election. - Carlington Wilmot /Freelance Photographer
CANNED FOODS, rice, crackers, bread and other basic products were quickly scooped off supermarket shelves yesterday as hundreds of Jamaicans scurried to stock up ahead of today's general election.
The rush was mostly over when The Gleaner visited supermarkets in Liguanea, Cross Roads and Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew yesterday but there were signs that some supermarkets had seen a most unusual Tuesday.
While few persons were seen at Basix Supermarket in Tropical Plaza, Constant Spring Road and employees at Empire Supermarket in Cross Roads recorded little change, Sovereign Supermarket and SuperPlus, Liguanea employees reported a 50 per cent increase in the number of customers seen on a Tuesday.
In addition, Carol Williams, a manager at SuperPlus in Liguanea reported that the numbers coming into the supermarket since Saturday had doubled.
Persons, some of whom spouted political party affiliations or boasted tee-shirts and caps with the names of political candidates, gave several reasons for being at their supermarket of choice.
Predicting victory for their party ahead of today's general elections, some Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters were seen stocking up on goods.
"The JLP is going win. That's all we care about so we are shopping to celebrate. We already have champagne and stuff in the fridge and so we just need food to cook. We need a change and we have to get a change!" declared Maria, who joined hundreds Jamaicans who stripped supermarket shelves.
Beside her, one woman began muttering that the "PNP must go" and that all they did was "mash up de country".
Others just wanted to avoid having to go out on the street today.
"They told me I shouldn't go out. Some friends of mine told me I should keep myself quiet and that's bad because in Barbados, elections are really quiet. Nobody gets all worked up over it that they would want to hurt each other," declared Terrence, a Barbadian on vacation in Jamaica.
Not even a sudden downpour stopped the steady stream of shoppers who were also doing business now because they knew some businesses will be closed or will end their activities early tomorrow.
Hurrying to get out of the rain while balancing two "scandal bags" and a young son, Barbara Webber said she would be working today up to Friday but needed food in her house because her child would not be going to school.
There were huge dents in the inventory of tin mackerels, crackers and rice which usually lined shelves until around the weekends. Persons milled around, juggling six or seven scandal bags or waited patiently in check out lines, their trolleys packed to the hilt.
"I usually shop on a Wednesday but I came today because it's logical and sensible. It's elections and you want to be at home, off the streets, seeing that a number of our people can be so unruly and I don't want to get caught up in an unruly crowd," said Nurse Yvonne Stewart.
"I decide to cope with it because at least I know what is happening now, I don't know what is to happen tomorrow."
