Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake reports that nomination day activities were peaceful, with no report of political supporters engaging in unlawful behaviour.

Nomination day for the local government election concluded yesterday, February 8. A total of 499 candidates were nominated for the 228 Electoral Divisions islandwide and the mayoral seat in the Municipality of Portmore.

Blake said that while there were moments with over-enthusiastic supporters, the overall process went according to plan.

“I’m proud to say that from all reports coming in, it was a very good day. A quiet and peaceful one. There were a couple reports of some, I’ll classify it as overexuberant supporters, but there was no actual breach of the peace,” said Blake.

He commended supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), the People’s National Party (PNP), as well as the candidates nominated for their “good conduct and behaviour.”

“Naturally, it’s a game of politics, and persons will get excited and energised, but it has been a very good [day], and I want to commend them and say to them that come the 26th, we expect that they will conduct themselves in a similar manner and we’ll have a free and fair election in a peaceful environment,” said Blake.

The deputy commissioner also warned supporters against jumping onto vehicles assigned to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“It’s risky, and it’s inappropriate behaviour and we would ask them to desist from doing so because not only are they endangering their lives, but also they are impeding the police officers from effectively carrying out their functions. So we’ll certainly want to warn them to desist from this kind of behaviour,” he said.

The long-awaited local government election are scheduled for February 26.