Population shifts and greater interest in enumeration in the western section of the island, have resulted in a big jump in the number of persons on the voters list in sections of St. James, St. Ann, St. Catherine and Westmoreland, according to the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ).

In the constituency of St. James North Western, the number of voters registered increased by 51 per cent, from 18,347 on the 1993 voters list to 27,719 persons on the 1997 list. In St. James West Central, there was an almost 40 per cent increase in the number of voters registered, up from 15,215 in 1993 to 21,229 this year.

St. Ann North Eastern also saw an increase of almost 50 per cent with an additional 8,638 voters being registered this year. In 1993, 17,627 persons from the constituency were on the voters list. In Westmoreland Western, registered voters increased by over 25 per cent, from 17,634 in 1993 to 22,319 in 1997.

According to EOJ public education officer, Neville Graham, the phenomenal increases in voter registration in these areas had been detected "early in the enumeration process". He said that a large number of persons had migrated to these areas, seeking employment opportunities because of tourist trade there. According to Mr. Graham, there had been considerable population shifts to these areas around the "tourist belts". These, he said, include places such as Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay.

Mr. Graham added that the EOJ had noticed that interest in being enumerated was higher in the west section of the island. "Maybe it was because we started earlier there and therefore the full impact of the public education campaign hit earlier, but whatever the reason, the interest there was higher....It naturally tapered off as time went on, and so even in the end, when we had the two weeks extension, it was almost not needed there."

It was in some St. Catherine constituencies, however, that increases in the number of persons enumerated were greatest and Mr. Graham again attributed the rise to population shifts in the parish. In St. Catherine South, which includes the growing Greater Portmore Housing Scheme, the number of persons enumerated rose from 12,663 in 1993 to 29,000 this year.

There were declines in the number of persons enumerated in four constituencies. Mr. Graham said this fall in numbers was attributable not only to migration from these areas, but also "a fall in incidents of padding". He said that in these areas, instances of double enumeration had been reduced, as the new system had made many persons afraid of trying to beat the system.

In St. Andrew South, there was a 29 per cent decline in the number of persons enumerated in 1997 (16,729), compared those enumerated in 1993 (23,887). In Kingston Central, the number of persons enumerated fell by about 15 per cent, while St Andrew West Central and St. Andrew East Central showed declines of 5.4 per cent and 6.7 per cent respectively.