Dr Wykeham McNeill, a supporter of Dr Peter Phillips' bid to become president of the People's National Party (PNP), gets a handshake from General Secretary Peter Bunting shortly after being nominated for one of the four vice-presidential jobs. At left is Robert Pickersgill, the party's chairman. Deputy General Secretary Julian Robinson looks on. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

INTERNAL ELECTIONS within the cash-strapped People's National Party (PNP) have brought some much-needed funds to the 70-year-old political movement.

The party on Monday collected $800,000 in nomination fees as factions and individuals within the party jostle for officer-corp positions.

Peter Bunting, the party's general secretary, said the money collected would go a far way in helping to cover some expenses associated with holding the elections at the party's annual conference on September 20.

The PNP has employed the services of the Electoral Office of Jamaica to print ballots, prepare the voters' list and to administer the election of president and vice-presidents.

Financial bind

The party, which is in a financial bind, will be paying $750,000 per day to rent the National Arena, where its annual conference will be held.

Eight persons have been nominated for the party's four vice-presidents posts and two persons for the post of president. It cost $100,000 for a person to be nominated as president and $75,000 for a candidate to be nominated as vice-president.

Sitting party President Portia Simpson Miller, is facing opposition from vice-president, Dr Peter Phillips. Neither has been nominated for a vice-presidential post, which means the loser will not be a member of the party's officer corp, after September 20.

PNP bridesmaid

No surprises were expected at Monday's final day of nomination until Colin Campbell nominated Noel Arscott for vice-president.

Soon afterwards, Joseph 'Bunny' Witter, the proverbial PNP bridesmaid, was nominated for a vice-president post.

Team PNP, which supports Portia Simpson Miller to continue as party president, had pulled a quick one and the Phillips camp was caught off-guard.

Clock ticking

With the clock ticking down to the noon cut-off time for nominations, Phillips' camp responded. Harry Douglas, the old fox from St Mary, and Sharon Hay-Webster, Member of Parliament for South Central St Catherine, entered the race.

When it was all done, the nominations told the story of a jostle for the important party positions by pro-Portia and pro-Peter factions.

Angela Brown Burke, Derrick Kellier, Arscott and Witter all lined up under the Portia banner, while Douglas, Dr Fenton Ferguson, Hay Webster and Dr Wykeham McNeill stood on Phillips' side.