By Anthony Henry

Former mayoral candidate for the Portmore Municipality, Markland Edwards, says he is confident that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will win all three parliamentary seats in the municipality when ballots are counted tonight.

Speaking with reporters after visiting several polling stations, Edwards described the day’s proceedings as smooth and incident-free, with strong voter turnout signalling positive momentum for the JLP.

“Things look pretty good so far. I have done the rounds across the municipality and been to a few polling stations. So far, when we check on the three constituencies St. Catherine Southern, which is my voting area, St. Catherine South Eastern with Robert Miller, and East Central St. Catherine with MP Alando Terrelonge all things are going smoothly. No incidents, no issues,” Edwards said.

He added that all polling stations opened on time and that only a few voters faced delays due to illness or disabilities. “Other than that, everybody is getting a chance to vote, and the early voting looks good,” he said.

Edwards, who has been monitoring voter activity across Portmore, suggested that turnout was especially strong for Labourites. “From the hills of Hellshire to the plains of Gregory Park, the turnout for the Jamaica Labour Party is overwhelming. It’s looking good, and we expect at the end of the night the JLP will remain the government of Jamaica,” he declared.

Although official turnout data from the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) was not yet available, Edwards said the energy at polling locations was a good indicator. “Nothing from the ECJ as yet, but from what we are seeing, it’s a good showing so far,” he said.

Pressed on whether he believed the JLP would hold its two existing seats in Portmore or capture a third, Edwards was unequivocal. “We’re aiming for all three. We’re aiming for all three. We’re aiming for all three,” he repeated with confidence.

The JLP currently holds South Eastern St Catherine and East Central St Catherine, while the PNP’s Fitz Jackson is defending his long-held seat in South St Catherine.