ST THOMAS, Jamaica — As the close of polling draws nearer, there is an obvious increase of voting in both St Thomas constituencies — east and west.

With polling stations scheduled to close at 5:00 pm, “last-minute voters” have descended on polling stations in droves to exercise their franchise to elect a new government.

The heightened voter activity observed at a number of polling stations, especially at Yallahs Basic School and Yallahs Baptist Church in St Thomas Western, contrasts the slow balloting that marked the morning session.

In St Thomas Eastern, the momentum also picked up, especially at Port Morant Primary and Junior High School and at Airy Castle Primary School where a long line was observed.

“The people are voting, but the process is a little slow,” said one frustrated voter sporting a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) shirt.

Both constituencies in the parish are considered to be among the marginal seats, which pundits preach could prove decisive in the outcome.

The JLP’s James Robertson, the incumbent candidate for St Thomas Western, is being challenged by the PNP’s Marsha Francis.

In St Thomas Eastern, the incumbent Dr Fenton Ferguson of the PNP faces the JLP’s Delano Seiveright.

Sean Williams