Delci Roberts, 77, on her way to cast her vote at the St Margaret's Bay polling station.

Despite his inability to walk, 79-year-old Walter Phillips, who was carried by neighbours to vote in St Margaret's Bay on Monday, maintained that his physical challenge would never prevent him from supporting his beloved People's National Party (PNP).

The elderly man, who was clad in grey, striped shirt and grey denim pants, was seated on a metallic chair just outside polling station No. 3. The golden ager smiled as he reflected on his earlier years, especially while supporting founder of the PNP, Norman Manley.

Always interesting

"Manley and Busta (making reference to founder of the Jamaica Labour Party, Sir Alexander Bustamante) was always an interesting contest," he said. "As a boy back in late 1940s, I supported the PNP and even today I have continued that trend, although I am not able to walk on my own."

Grey-haired Phillips, who spoke to The Gleaner with both eyes closed, recalled memories of political campaigning and elections in the 1950s and '60s.

"I don't like the crime and violence. We must live in peace as we are all Jamaicans. I am here to support Kenneth Rowe, who I believe is a good candidate.

"I will not leave here until I have marked my X beside the head, and dip my finger into that ink," he added.

But Phillips was not the only old-school faithful casting a vote. Delci Roberts, 77, sporting sunglasses and clad in a green T-shirt - also hampered by physical disability - was out to exercise her franchise. So too was 84-year-old Leon Robinson, decked in gabardine pants. Both are staunch supporters of the JLP and were determine to support their party.

"I am coming from the days of Bustamante, who is my leader," said Robinson. "Today, I am still supporting the JLP, but this time the candidate is a young man, Daryl Vaz, who I believe has been doing a lot of work here. He has provided us with much-needed pipe water and electricity, and I know he will continue the work."

Party loyalty

On the other hand, Roberts, whose powerful voice belied her age, noted that her support for Vaz was based solely on party loyalty.

"I have heard about him before, but I have never met him," she said. "The reports are that he is a hard worker, and once he is a JLP candidate, I will support him as Bustamante party knows how to run things."

The highlight of the by-election was perhaps found at Mount Pleasant, where 58-year-old Eugenie Brown, a supporter of the JLP, was seen embracing Neville Bartley of the rival PNP in a show of unity that ran counter to the politically charged atmosphere common to Jamaican elections.

Leon Robinson, 84, says Vaz has spearheaded sufficient infrastructural work to merit his vote. Beside him is Delci Roberts. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer