Karl Samuda (left) and Paul Robertson (right)

The Two main political parties contesting Monday's general election have denounced all acts of political violence.

Yesterday, People's National Party (PNP) yesterday said at a press conference that it was denouncing all acts of violence and intimidation in the name of politics.

Campaign director, Dr. Paul Robertson, said at the party's Old Hope Road headquarters that violence would not benefit the party nor country.

"The People's National Party would have had nothing to gain by participating in, orchestrating or otherwise causing political violence," Dr. Robertson said.

The Police High Command was forced to ban campaigning in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine because of violent incidents thought to be linked to politics.

Doing everything to win

Karl Samuda, the general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, had claimed that "the PNP were desperate and are doing everything to win."

He made the statement at the University Hospital of the West Indies Wednesday night after the party's candidate for Eastern St. Andrew, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett, and members of his campaign team, were shot at in Tavern, St. Andrew. Two women were injured in the incident.

A subsequent JLP release said there had been organised attacks on supporters of the party, which had claimed the lives of at least five persons recently.

Yesterday, the general secretaries of both parties met with Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair and called for a cessation of acts of political intimidation and violence.

At its press conference , the PNP distanced itself from political violence.

"The negative result it would have had on our reputation, on the global profile of this nation and on the macro-economic stability and buoyant investment would be irreparable," Dr. Robertson said.