D. K. Duncan, Contributor
THE SURPRISE candidate, whose belated nomination forced the voting for vice-presidents of the People's National Party (PNP), was defeated in his bid for one of the four posts.
The expected level of participation was reflected in a voter turnout of some 1,559 delegates from a voters' list of just over 1600. Most party watchers, however, are agreed that the number of eligible delegates is down to an all-time low in recent times.
In addition, the representation across constituencies was skewed. Many constituencies were under-represented while two accounted for just over 300 group delegates.
When the over 200 members of the National Executive Council (NEC) as well as the delegates from the National Workers' Union, affiliates and other categories are discounted, the total number of delegates from all eligible groups could be closer to 1,200.
This is partially as a result of the work of the secretariat in verifying functioning groups as well as a reflection of the state of the party's organisation on the ground.
From all accounts, the voting procedure went as well as could be expected. All five candidates accepted the voters' lists as valid and the delegates polled their votes for their candidates of choice in an atmosphere of civility. Under the watchful eye of the media, the PNP continued to demonstrate its capacity to handle its internal affairs without public rancour.
BLYTHE
Of the 1,531 accepted ballots, Karl Blythe with 1,443 votes was missing from only 88 of them. This catapulted him from a statistical fourth in 2003 to first in the rescheduled 2004 conference. This was the most significant shift in Saturday's voting.
Although all four vice-presidents are constitutionally of equal status, most observers inside and outside of the PNP put great store by the candidate who emerges with the most votes.
SIMPSON MILLER
Portia Simpson Miller fell from first to second place with 1,385 votes and was, therefore, omitted from 146 of the accepted ballots.
Having replaced Peter Phillips for the first position at the 2003 conference she gained no advantage in the recent polling.This could largely be due to the more intense rivalry between the Simpson Miller and Phillips camp as they position themselves for the presidential campaign and elections.
The final positions, however, suggest an unspoken alliance between the Blythe and Simpson Miller teams. Their top two positions put them squarely in a position to exert significantly more influence on the affairs of the PNP.
It also signals the real possibility of a Portia/Karl alliance as the elections for a new party president draw closer.
PETER AND PAUL
Missing from 302 of the 1,531 accepted ballots, Peter Phillips dropped from second to third with 1,229 voters.
Almost a mirror image in the voting, Paul Robertson dropped from third to fourth, polling 1,203 votes and therefore absent from 328 ballots. This suggests that the other contenders treated them as a team and used their influence on delegates accordingly.
This is not surprising since Robertson is a leading member of the Phillips presidential campaign team. A psychological setback, the Phillips team hopes to re-emerge stronger with a new and improved voters' list when elections for a new leader are held.
BURKE
If the number of ballots from which the four vice-presidents were missing are added - Blythe's 88, Simpson Miller's 146, Phillips' 302 and Robertson's 328 - they total 864 which was Burke's final tally. It is difficult to say how many of these were first-choice voters for Burke. However, there is no doubt that the Portia-Karl alliance would have made Burke their firm third choice, splitting their ballots for fourth place between Robertson and Phillips.
The vice-presidents will be seeking re-election again in September on a new voters' list. This list is likely to be the one used for the election of a new president of the PNP and the next prime minister of Jamaica.
One love, one heart.
A dental surgeon, Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former Cabinet minister and general secretary in the PNP administration of the 1970s.
