Walker

WITH SUPPORTER exuberance expected to be at fever-pitch on election day Monday, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) and the Electoral Commission (EC) have taken steps to ensure the safety of its staff.

Director of Elections, Danville Walker, said Wednesday that supporters of the ruling People's National Party (PNP), Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and National Democratic Movement (NDM) can sport the colours of their respective parties at polling stations.

"It is our view, and the policy we believe going forward from here, is that people can wear the colours they want to wear, even those cute little armbands," Mr. Walker said during a joint EOJ/EC press conference.

However, Professor Errol Miller, chairman of the EC, said slogans and images of candidates will not be allowed at the 6,232 stations.

No emblems or inscriptions

"Any clothing on which there are emblems or inscriptions of a political nature, those will not be permitted," Professor Miller said.

Mr. Walker said he expects no extra security at polling stations which are located in areas where crime is high.

"We consider every single polling station in Jamaica to be of equal value, we want one standard in every station," he said. "From a security point of view, the police may look at those seats considered battlegrounds and put more security in those places, but we really look at each station as being of equal importance."

Mr. Walker also addressed the matter of polling stations and counting centres in locations where electricity has not been restored since the passage of Hurricane Dean.

"Our elections start at 7:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m., which are daylight hours, so the fact that there may not be electricity in 20 per cent of the country, as JPS (Jamaica Public Service) is reporting, will not impact on the election at all," he said.