ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has renewed calls for supporters of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP)to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner and to avoid political violence and confrontations in the current election campaign. 

She was addressing a PNP mass rally in Junction, South East St Elizabeth on Thursday night. 

Speaking against the backdrop of two shooting incidents which left three people dead and others injured at opposition Jamaica Labour  Party events in St James over recent days, Simpson Miller said Jamaicans should remember that they all had “a stake” in the country and its future.

The police have linked the two shooting incidents in and around Montego Bay to gang warfare in the community of Flanker rather than political violence.

Simpson Miller urged Comrades to support the police at all times.

“All of us must work with the security forces to prevent murders and other crimes in our country,” she said.

She also told PNP supporters that they should not “respond in a negative way” even if they are provoked.

Simpson Milller used the occasion to formally introduce to the crowd the four nominated PNP candidates in St Elizabeth ahead of parliamentary elections set for February 25.

They are Richard Parchment (St Elizabeth South Eastern), Hugh Buchanan (St Elizabeth South Western), Daren Powell ( St Elizabeth North Western) and Evon Redman (St Elizabeth North Eastern).

Claiming that the February 25 polls will decide Jamaica’s future for “generations to come”, Simpson Miller urged Comrades to ensure that there is a high voter turnout of PNP supporters.

She pointed to legislation decriminalising personal use of small quantities of ganja as an example of the PNP’s dedication to a progressive path for all Jamaicans.

“No longer will the future of our youth be blighted because police found them with a ganja spliff,” she said.

Garfield Myers