Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
THE GOVERNING People's National Party (PNP) yesterday said
they are ready for elections but party leader Mrs. Portia Simpson Miller gave
no signal as to when the next general election would be called.
"We are ready ... and when the time is right I will say so," Mrs. Simpson Miller said at the party's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting yesterday.
However, she told the NEC that while the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is calling for her to announce the election date, they (the governing party), cannot afford to be distracted.
Last Friday the JLP General Secretary, Karl Samuda, dared the Prime Minister to, "bring it on." Mr. Samuda challenged Mrs. Simpson Miller to, "put some action where her mouth is," and call the election.
CALL FOR ELECTION
"Let's not just hear talk about all this wonderful popularity and this five-term thing that we hear you preaching all over the country. But the only way you can manifest that hope into reality is to hold an election," Mr. Samuda said.
Yesterday Mrs. Simpson Miller declared that senior party officials will be hitting the roads soon but will not be campaigning. She also revealed that she has commenced her unannounced visits to communities.
"They are talking about bringing it on but I hope they can manage when we bring it on ... it is going to be peaceful; it is going to be fair," the Prime Minister said.
Mrs. Simpson Miller demonstrated the party's readiness by racing up and down a conference room greeting party workers.
WE ARE READY
She had abandoned the platform and her speech to mingle with exuberant comrades who concurred their readiness with hers.
"We ready!" the NEC members responded when quizzed by their party leader.
Colin Campbell, the party's general secretary said that the PNP, "have completed our selection and we have sent forward a list of 57 names to the officers." He said that the party has not yet sent forward candidates for the constituencies of West Central and South West St. Catherine and Eastern Hanover.
The Prime Minister added that when the party presents its team, the candidates will stand the test of time.
She promised the NEC, "when we present our team we will be unbeatable."
With speculations rife that the general election, constitutionally due by next October, Mrs. Simpson Miller said "destiny's child will speak to you at the appropriate time."
