"Polling data, the People's National Party's (PNP) empirical findings, analysis and 'soundings' on the ground in the constituency indicate that Daryl Vaz is not as popular as the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has made him out to be," declared the People's National Party in an early-morning release.

The party also released poll findings which, it said were done by Don Anderson during February and showed the two parties in a dead heat when respondents were asked which party they would vote for to form the next government.

According to the PNP, its poll also shows that most persons either thought that Vaz was doing a bad job or they did not know about his performance.

"Vaz has cultivated a national perception of continuing to work in the constituency through his high media profile," the PNP claimed.

Manufactured popularity

"The data indicate that Vaz's popularity in the constituency is manufactured and manipulated. Vaz's team has used media to godfather him into a place of perceived strength," the PNP added, as it touted its candidate Kenneth Rows as being poised for victory.

But campaign manager for Vaz, Robert Montague, dismissed the PNP's claims as he expressed confidence that the JLP would retain the seat.

"The only poll that I'm interested in is the one on the 23rd. I will tell you my numbers at 5 p.m. on the 23rd, but my numbers indicate that we are going to win," Montague said.