Steady Voting in St Andrew East Central as JLP Eyes Upset Against PNP Stronghold

ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Voters turned out steadily across St Andrew East Central this morning as the battle unfolds between the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Dennis Gordon and the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Davion Vassell.

At the Foursquare Church in Cassia Park, where the JLP traditionally draws strong support, several dozen mostly elderly electors were lined up before polls opened at 7:00 am. Some expressed frustration at the slow pace, but the crowd remained in place, determined to exercise their right to vote.

Nearby at Tarrant Baptist, the process was slowed further when a number of voters arrived without their voter ID cards. They were pulled from the main line and processed separately by election workers before being allowed to cast their ballots.

By 7:45 am at Half-Way Tree Primary, dozens of people had already entered the premises, with both parties reporting steady support. At Dunrobin Primary, long lines stretched as commuters squeezed in their vote before heading to work. The early turnout leaned heavily toward middle-aged and elderly electors.

Among them was 70-year-old Derrick Wint, who walked with the aid of a device after suffering a stroke but insisted on taking part in the polls. At St Jude’s Primary, a 72-year-old retiree cited the cost of living and governance concerns as his reasons for supporting the opposition.

Security forces reported a calm atmosphere at all polling stations visited, with no major incidents up to mid-morning.

St Andrew East Central has remained a PNP stronghold since its creation in 1967, first won by Premier Norman Manley. Over the years, it has been represented by Kenneth McNeill, DK Duncan and Arthur Jones, and was held by Dr Peter Phillips from 1994 until his retirement due to health challenges.

The PNP has never lost the seat, but JLP workers on the ground remain confident that Vassell has a strong chance of flipping the constituency in this election.