PORTLAND, Jamaica — After days of anticipation, the official ballot count for the Portland Eastern seat has confirmed Isat Buchanan of the People’s National Party (PNP) as the elected Member of Parliament in a nail-biting race that kept the constituency — and the nation — on edge.
The final tally, concluded after the official count, shows Buchanan edging ahead with 8,361 votes. His opponent, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) incumbent Ann-Marie Vaz, ended the count with 8,176 votes. The result marks a razor-thin victory margin of 185 votes in one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the September 3 General Election.
Notably, Buchanan gained a slight boost of 45 votes during the official count process, while Vaz’s numbers dipped marginally, losing five. This outcome reinforces the preliminary projection which had Buchanan in the lead, albeit with a slightly higher margin.
The Portland Eastern seat has been symbolic for both parties, carrying historical weight and political significance. For the JLP, the loss represents a major blow, particularly given Vaz’s previous hold on the constituency since a 2019 by-election. For the PNP, Buchanan’s win injects momentum into a party in search of renewed strength.
As the dust settles, both camps are expected to assess the implications. Buchanan’s slender win signals renewed voter engagement and perhaps a shifting sentiment in what was previously considered a volatile electoral district.
With the results now formalized, all eyes turn to the broader national picture and what this means for Jamaica’s political landscape moving forward.
