I hope the politicians learn a lot from West Portland

[Assasin]

the first and foremost is

"There is a carnival like atmosphere across the polling stations and camaraderie between major political parties. "

people fi enjoy themselves and it nuh have fi be war.

The took away two licensed guns including that of the Mayor of Mobay and find one person with illegal drugs.

Carnival go all the way in the night. I can see the PNP youth them after seeing they have lost just join up with the green shirts and drink two beers.

As I said the politicians would be the loser. This election in West Portland says a lot. When you have a record turn out in a by election, Vaz getting more voters than in the general election and wining by the widest margin in the history of the constituency dispite the PNP campaign bus park in Portland, and a down economy, it says many people just want quality representation over politics.

All the commentators where talking about the warm welcome by the people of Portland. Keep it up West Portland and I hope others can conduct their business in the same manner.

[MdmeX]

These women, although supporters of rival political parties, have a good time during yesterday's West Portland by-election in Hope Bay. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Sass - yuh right, this picture says a whole lot!

[Willi]

They can teach a valuable lesson to the rest of Jamdown.

People first, politics third! LoL

[Willi]

Warm we heart, eh?

[Assasin]

Supporters bring party vibes

Published: Tuesday | March 24, 2009


Lovelette Brooks, News Editor

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (second left) escorts Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for West Portland Daryl Vaz (centre) through a crowd of supporters during yesterday's by-election day activities while JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda (second right) and Government Member of Parliament Ruddy Spencer (behind Vaz) look on. At right is Vaz's wife, Ann-Marie. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff PhotographerIn the Portland hills grey, pregnant clouds threatened, but the heavy rain characteristic of these parts seemed reluctant to put a damper on election-day activities in places like Craig Hill and Belvedere. All was quiet, with no lines at the polling stations.
By contrast, the seaside towns of Hope Bay and Buff Bay were teeming under the hot sun. The streets were very busy, and the voting queues were long.
Electoral officials, close to mid-day, reported a 50 per cent voter turnout, but expected the pace to increase as the day progressed.
The much-anticipated by-election was under way as West Portlanders chose between the Jamaica Labour Party's Daryl Vaz and the People's National Party's (PNP) Kenneth Rowe.
Singing and dancing
Buff Bay, the virtual hub of activities was filled with orange-clad supporters of the PNP as well as supporters of the JLP decked in all shadesof green. They lined the street on either side. Some rang bells, while others chanted merrily.
"It's PNP time!" bellowed one supporter. "We going to wash them out." The atmosphere, reminiscent of old-time Jamaican politics, was charged, but the rivalry, although keen, was friendly. Most businessplaces were closed, and would remain closed for the day.
A strong detachment of police and soldiers was in the seaside towns of Hope Bay and Buff Bay maintaining order. While military armoured vehicles - a rare sight in the towns - patrolled the streets, the police were at every turn, many on the outskirts to the towns doing spot checks.
On the ground, representatives from both parties concentrated their efforts on bringing out the voters, and it appeared that the vote of the elderly played a critical role in the outcome of the election. lovelette.brooks@gleanerjm.com

[Assasin]

A long time some Kingstonian and journalist nuh see them ya politics yah. When mi tell man say me enjoy political rallies them think a joke mi a mek.
This is pretty much how politics have been in this constituency and nuff a we go a meeting from both parties.

Sometimes we only focus pon the bad but not people who a live good.