EWARTON, St Catherine — Chants of “happy Labourites, shower Labourites”, greeted the Observer Online team as it entered the lane leading towards Ewarton High School in the constituency of St Catherine North West.

Asked what was the reason behind the glee, one woman said that they already felt a change in Government. They said they expect the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which they support, will form the government after the ballots are counted today in the country’s 17 General Election since universal adult suffrage.

The People’s National Party routed the JLP in the 2001 General Election, grabbing 42 of the country’s 63 parliamentary seats.

“Time for a new face and a new way,” the woman shouted.

But supporters of the PNP, who were nearby, said their party will prevail.

“Still nobody, but Bobby,” they chanted in reference to the PNP’s candidate for the area, Robert Pickersgill. 

Pickersgill has served as member of parliament for the area since 1989. He is being challenged by the JLP’s Newton Amos.

Penda Honeyghan