Bunting Smells JLP Trouble as Manchester Voters Turn Out in Their Numbers

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The orange wave was alive and kicking in Mandeville on Wednesday morning, as PNP heavyweight Peter Bunting declared that a bigger-than-usual voter turnout is spelling nothing but trouble for the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Bunting, who is contesting Manchester Southern, showed up at Jamal Premises on Grove Road to cast his ballot and wasted no time in sounding off.

“When you see people coming out early and in numbers like this, it usually means the Government is in trouble. High turnout often signals that the people are ready to send a message and vote them out,” Bunting said with confidence, flashing smiles as supporters in their orange T-shirts shouted his name.

The former Manchester Central MP admitted he was surprised by the early morning rush.

“Normally I’m the first one in line. Today, I was about number 12. That alone tells me the energy is real. The people are motivated, and we are looking forward to victory tonight,” he added, drawing loud cheers from PNP faithful.

The battle for Manchester is one of the island’s most closely watched. In Central, the JLP’s Rhoda Crawford, who shocked many in 2020 when she toppled Bunting, is now defending her seat against PNP’s Donovan Mitchell, the fiery Mandeville Mayor. Over in Southern, Bunting is locking horns with the JLP’s Ian Ives, who replaced Robert Chin after a hot internal clash.

With voters pouring into polling stations decked out in their party colours, vuvuzelas blaring, and motorcades rolling through town, Manchester is shaping up to be ground zero in the #RaceTo32. Both parties are claiming confidence — but on the streets, the vibes are tense, the energy is high, and the outcome is anybody’s game.