THE COUNTRY'S two major political parties are confident that rainy weather affecting West Portland will not influence voter turnout in today's by-election, which could significantly shift the balance of political power.

Already the parish has been drenched and the Meteorological Service has said it expects "cloudy conditions with on-and-off showers" to continue throughout today.

The Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Daryl Vaz is nominated to contest the seat against the People's National Party's (PNP) Kenneth Rowe. Long-shot contender Astor Black of the New Jamaica Alliance is also in the race.

Vaz told The Gleaner yesterday that showers will not bother Portlanders.

"Portland is accustomed to rain. Surely, the rain will delay the vote but I don't think it will affect the turnout," Vaz said yesterday.

Luther Buchanan, Rowe's campaign manager, echoed his sentiment.

"The people of Portland are accustomed to these weather patterns and our workers are so geared to work in these conditions," said Buchanan.

Well-placed PNP sources have said that the party expects Rowe to win by 275 votes.

Vaz hopeful

However, Vaz is adamant that he will be returned as MP after today's poll.

"I am still predicting a margin of more than 2,000 votes for sure and I would definitely be disappointed if I get less than that," Vaz told The Gleaner.

Vaz polled 6,799 votes in September 2007 general election to the PNP's Abe Dabdoub's 6,033 votes for a victory margin of 944.

"Tomorrow, it is going to be Vaz vs Simpson Miller, Labour Party vs PNP and they are going to lose again," Vaz said yesterday.

Both JLP and PNP suffered major setbacks Saturday night as their campaign rallies held at Buff Bay and Hope Bay, respectively, were washed out by torrential rain.

PNP President Portia Simpson Miller nonetheless rallied the troops.

"This shower is a blessing," said Simpson Miller. "Tomorrow ,we are going to secure victory at the polls and wash the JLP out of West Portland."

Good to go

Exactly 18,723 voters are eligible to vote in today's by-election at 99 polling stations.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has said all is in place for today's exercise.

"It is all systems go," Orrette Fisher, the director of elections, told The Gleaner.

Fisher said the rain could pose a challenge in getting equipment into some areas of the constituency. He also said the weather could influence the time by which the EOJ will be able to declare the seat, but noted that Jamaicans should know the results by the latest 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, the PNP yesterday urged the Government to suspend any planned roadwork in West Portland today.

According to the PNP, it has been informed that the JLP "plans to undertake roadwork in the constituency tomorrow and that these works will be concentrated in areas that are strongly supportive of the People's National Party and will be used to disrupt the smooth flow of vehicular traffic, thus hindering or inhibiting persons from being transported to vote on election day."

Attempts to contact Transport Minister Mike Henry for a response proved futile up to press time last night.

The JLP has 31 seats to the PNP's 28 in the 60-seat Parliament.

A heavy detachment of police and soldiers has taken up positions in various communities to quell the likelihood of any last-minute conflicts among rival supporters.