Western Bureau: As elections draw closer, the local observer group, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), hopes to have a strong core of volunteers in place in the West to monitor Jamaica's 13th General Elections since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944.

Speaking at the Montego Bay Junior Chamber meeting recently, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, one of CAFFE's executive directors, said he was delighted to see the number of young people who were in attendance. He encouraged them not to leave without signing one of the CAFFE's recruitment forms.

He said this election will be a very sensitive one as, "in the 1993 elections, 30 seats were won by less than 1,000 votes; in 20 seats less than 500 votes, and with the advent of the National Democratic Movement a smaller number of seats will be won. So one stolen ballot box will create a major impact in the results of the election," he told the gathering.

The question and answer section evoked much enthusiasm from the audience, with much discussion surrounding the security of CAFFE volunteers on election day. They also asked about CAFFE's position on the voters list, and what will become of the organisation after December 18.

Colonel MacMillan gave the assurance that adequate security will be in place for volunteer observers on election day. He said CAFFE, which is a registered company, will be around long after the general election to continue its mandate.