The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has finalised its candidates for the two remaining constituencies ahead of the upcoming general election—St Andrew North Central and Manchester North Eastern.

On Monday night, the JLP General Secretary, Dr Horace Chang, confirmed that Senator Delano Seiveright would be the party’s candidate for the St Andrew North Central constituency in the next general election, replacing veteran Karl Samuda.

Reports also surfaced last week that former Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks had accepted an invitation to enter representational politics in Manchester North Eastern and will replace Audley Shaw.

The St Andrew North Central constituency was thrown into a storm recently after Seiveright announced his intention to offer himself for the seat held by Samuda since 1980, days ahead of the JLP’s expected announcement that attorney Christian Tavares-Finson, son of Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson, had been the only one to apply to replace Samuda.

Seiveright’s announcement was backed by several JLP supporters in favour of his political aspiration, even as news leaked that Tavares-Finson was the favourite of several members of the party. Following several protest actions by members of the constituency, both men withdrew their candidacy in the best interest of the party.

Marks brings extensive international experience to representational politics, having played a pivotal part in strengthening Jamaica-US relations during her diplomatic tenure as the island’s ambassador to the USA.

However, there are concerns among labourites in the constituency that her late entrance in the race, the lack of organisation over the past four to five years, and her lack of connection with the people could hurt the JLP in a seat it has held since 1993.

Marks is the first female named as a potential new candidate for the JLP going into the general election this year.

In the 2020 general election, the party fielded 18 female candidates, including 11 newcomers. Fourteen of the JLP’s female candidates won their seats, including seven first-time MPs.