Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
THE NUMBER of groups and their delegates who will elect the People's National Party's (PNP) next President is complete and in the hands of the party secretariat, PNP Chairman Bobby Pickersgill announced yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference at the PNP's Old Hope Road headquarters, Mr. Pickersgill said the executive received the list of groups (2,758 from 57 constituencies) and their delegates who will vote in the February 25 internal elections at Jamaica College.
"These groups will have a total of 3,452 delegates. Together with NEC (National Executive Council) and life members, councillors, National Workers Union, overseas arms and affiliates, the final voters list will be 3,944 electors," Mr. Pickersgill said.
He said Wednesday, February 8 at 8:00 p.m. is the deadline for groups to name their delegates, with the voters list to be completed two days later.
The final voters' list, Mr. Pickersgill said, will be ready by February 17.
The legitimacy of some groups has been an area of concern, particularly for the camp of Portia Simpson Miller, the Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, who is one of the four presidential candidates.
But yesterday, party General Secretary Burchell Whiteman assured that a comprehensive investigation by the party secretariat gave all groups presented the green light.
Mr. Pickersgill also disclosed that:
* the Electoral Office of Jamaica will oversee the poll
* that voting hours will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
* there will be 25 polling stations, each with a scrutineer
* only delegates, PNP and EOJ officials, and security personnel will be allowed at the election site
* the results of the election will be announced by 6:00 p.m.
