WESTERN BUREAU:
THREE CONTENDERS will be facing the polls in Eastern Westmoreland today to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in March.
The by-election, which is considered a litmus test by political pundits, will see the People's National Party's (PNP) Luther Buchanan squaring off with the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Don Foote and independent candidate Astor Black for the seat, which the PNP has only lost once since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944.
"I am basking in confidence as usual because I have done the work and our preliminary information is that the PNP will be returned to office to see to the continuation of progress and development," Mr. Buchanan told The Gleaner yesterday.
Mr. Buchanan is expected to cast his vote at the premises of Luther Beckford in New Roads.
Mr. Foote, who is expected to cast his vote about 7:00 a.m. at the Content Primary School which he attended as a child, is confident the seat will be secured for the JLP.
"I feel very confident that I am going to take it home for the Jamaica Labour Party," Mr. Foote said. Astor Black said he will not vote in Easterrn Westmoreland but will instead converge with his supporters at the Darliston Primary School by 10:00 a.m.
"I do not have a vote in the constituency, but I will be there to move around during the day," he said.
