WALKER

Slow was the word from across the island as election-day workers and members of the security forces exercised their franchise yesterday in the lead-up to next Wednesday's local government elections.

In the Corporate Area, voting across several police stations was uneventful and orderly with a few minor glitches being reported.

Although Charles Reid, assistant returning officer at the Elleston Road Police Station, told The Gleaner the station opened at 8:00 a.m., the morning period was slow.

"The voting has been going on smoothly but slowly, but I imagine the police are doing other work," he said.

Exercise in St. Catherine

In Spanish Town, a low turnout of under 20 per cent reflected the election-day exercise throughout St. Catherine.

In the Central St. Catherine area, where election-day workers cast their votes, of the 264 registered, fewer than 80 turned out to vote.

At the police training school at Twickenham Park, where 658 security personnel were listed to cast their ballots, fewer than 100 turned up to do so. Several of those who turned out found that their names were not on the voters' list and expressed concern that they would not be able to exercise their franchise.

Yesterday's voting exercise in western Jamaica was a slow process, devoid of the excitement and intensity of the recent general election.

Little for workers to do

While the polls opened on time, electoral workers had very little to do as those persons who showed an interest in exercising their franchise were few in number and trickled in.

"It has been a very slow day for us," said Sharon Walker-Frater, a poll clerk at the Freeport Police Station, in Montego Bay. "The numbers were quite low in comparison to the general election."

The situation in St. James mirrored that of neighbouring Trelawny, Hanover, Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth.

Director of Elections Danville Walker described the day as one filled with no difficulties.

"We got off to a good start. All the polling stations opened on time, except one which was opened at 8:15 a.m."

Commenting on the turnout, Mr. Walker said the low turnout was in keeping with what is expected of local government elections.