By Anthony Henry

Some young people in Portmore say the low voter turnout in Wednesday’s general election was partly because both major political parties focused more on staging large crowds at their meetings than on connecting with actual voters.

On election day, Our Today spoke with several young persons across the three Portmore constituencies. Many were seen lingering around polling stations or walking in entourages for candidates of both the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP). A number admitted that they had not voted.

They explained that while they lived in party strongholds, they were mobilised by campaign teams to make up numbers.

“They wanted people to make up numbers so we get we money and push out. Sometimes they ask us if we know anyone who want to come and they get their money and shirt,” one youth said.

In Hellshire Heights, a supporter revealed that she had no vote but was still called upon by organizers. “I was told it does not matter, they needed people when the party leader was visiting,” she said.

Others openly acknowledged their allegiance to either the JLP or PNP, but said they had not yet registered to vote. “No candidate will tell us not to come on his campaign. Is our party we just move around the MP, make him feel nice, and draw away when election is near,” another supporter told Our Today.

While campaign events in Portmore drew significant crowds, official voter turnout told a different story. According to the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), overall voter turnout for the September 3 election was 39.5 per cent.

By 3 pm on election day, the EOJ had reported turnout at just 30.41 per cent, a reflection of the sluggish participation across the island.

The disconnect between the large, energetic campaign rallies and the subdued numbers at polling stations has fueled debate over whether the parties have lost focus on voter registration and mobilisation, especially among young people.