THE local business community was not concerned about a fall-off in commercial activities arising from yesterday’s general election, according to Jamaica Chamber of Commerce President Milton Samuda.

A number of businesses across the island shut their doors early and there was evidence that others did not open at all yesterday as Jamaicans went to the polls to vote in the nation’s 16th general election.

By early afternoon, business districts across the Corporate Area, among them New Kingston, Half-Way-Tree and Constant Spring, appeared to lack the usual hustle and bustle associated with commerce.

Samuda told the Observer around an hour before polling stations across the country were slated to close, that there were no complaints from private sector companies about any impact the elections might have had on business.

“It’s not a concern to me because what I know is that some businesses have been closing early mainly to facilitate their staff to participate in the democratic process,” said Samuda.

“I believe that’s an excellent compromise between ensuring that there is business as usual, as it should be in any election, and at the same time making the necessary accommodations so that people can exercise their democratic rights,” he said.

Samuda said he was particularly encouraged by the fact that businesses seemed to close early in order to allow their staff members to vote rather than any “fear factor” as has been the case in past elections.