ST JAMES, Jamaica — Both candidates for St James Central, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Heroy Clarke and the People’s National Party’s Ashley-Ann Foster, are expressing confidence ahead of the February 25th general elections.

Both candidates were accompanied by throngs of supporters as they presented nomination papers at the Electoral Office of Jamaica office on St Clavers Avenue in downtown Montego Bay.

The two reported that the proceedings went smoothly and praised their teams for the work done so far.

Clarke, who lost to Lloyd B Smith by 98 votes in 2011, said they will avoid the pitfalls that affected them four years ago.

“We are very confident this time,” he told members of the media, “we are avoiding the pitfalls form last time… the buck stops with me, I take the blame for 2011, we took things for granted.”

The former councillor said the work has been done.

“We have done a lot of enumeration and transfers and continue to do the necessary work,” he said, adding “We are spear fishing not net fishing.” He also said that 7,500 votes should be enough to win them the elections.

Foster, who is contesting her first election, was equally confident that “we will be taking home the seat for the People’s National Party.”.

“…we have to get on the ground and continue to organise, organise, organise,” she said.

She predicted that she would win the seat of the 25th of February by “over 500 votes”.

“My team is very experienced, a super campaign team, seasoned and has won many elections,” she insisted.

Paul Reid