ST THOMAS, Jamaica — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for St Thomas Eastern, Delano Seiveright has accused the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) of vote-buying in the constituency ahead of the opening of the polls this morning as Jamaicans cast their votes to elect a new government.

Seiveright, who is seeking to wrestle the constituency from longstanding incumbent, Dr Fenton Ferguson, told OBSERVER ONLINE earlier this morning that he knows as a fact that people have been approached to swap their votes for a wide range of gifts.

“I know as fact that there is tremendous voting-buying going on… I know that people have been offered chickens, goats, cows, farm work tickets and cash,” Seiveright said.

Asked what he has offered the constituents, he shot back: “Hope.”

Efforts by OBSERVER ONLINE to get a reaction from Dr Ferguson to Seiveright’s claims were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the JLP challenger is exuding confidence of victory over the incumbent today, who has held the seat for the PNP for the last four general elections.

“I am very confident (of victory) because the majority of the people in the constituency desperately need change… they are tired of the widespread under-development in the parish, they are tired of the high unemployment, lack of resources and infrastructure.

“The people need new leadership, new ideas, and I represent that,” said Seiveright.

Sean Williams