CLARENDON, Jamaica — As the clock ticked toward the evening, the Aenon Town Division in Clarendon saw a steady turnout of voters, with early reports showing just under 40 percent of registered voters casting their ballots by 2:00 pm. With the polls set to close later in the day, prominent figures of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), including Edmond Bartlett and General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang, expressed confidence that their candidate, Suzette Barton, would emerge victorious.
Speaking to reporters, Bartlett shared a sense of optimism as he observed the energetic mood among JLP supporters across the constituency. “There’s a real buzz in the air, and it’s clear that our supporters are showing up in numbers. The enthusiasm is palpable, and I can feel the excitement for Suzette Barton. It’s a good sign for us,” Bartlett said. While acknowledging that by-election voter patterns can be unpredictable, he maintained that the numbers they were seeing thus far indicated strong backing for Barton.
Bartlett emphasized the importance of the turnout numbers, stating, “In politics, it’s all about the numbers. We’re not just hopeful; we’re confident. The trends we’ve been tracking tell us that Suzette has a strong chance of winning today. This is about making sure our people come out to vote and make their voices heard.”
Dr. Horace Chang, a seasoned campaign strategist, also weighed in, noting that the current turnout was on par with expectations for a local government election. “What we’re seeing here today mirrors a typical parish council election turnout. Over 20 percent at this hour is a positive sign for us,” said Chang. “The mood is calm and focused. Both parties are engaged, but I’m confident that by the time the votes are counted, we’ll be celebrating.”
Chang also pointed to the legacy of former councillor Marjorie McLeod-McFarlane, who passed away earlier this year, as a driving factor for voter turnout. “The love and respect for Marjorie McLeod-McFarlane are still very much alive in this community. Many of our supporters are casting their ballots as a tribute to her legacy,” Chang said. “This speaks to the enduring strength of the JLP in this area.”
Both Bartlett and Chang are hopeful that their candidate, Suzette Barton, will secure the seat, defeating her main challenger, Delroy Dawson from the People’s National Party (PNP). As the final ballots are cast, the JLP leadership remains optimistic about a strong and favorable outcome for their team.
