Durrant Pate/Contributor

At least one political party, the United Independents’ Congress (UIC), will be fielding a number of candidates for the local government polls while the National Democratic Movement is boycotting the municipal elections in protest against the government dismissing its proposals on constitutional reforms.

Both the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) will be contesting all 228 municipal seats and the Portmore mayoral race, where the incumbent Leon Thomas of the PNP will be up against the JLP’s political newcomer Markland Edwards.

Just under 500 nominations are expected today to contest the 228 municipal divisions and Portmore mayoral race in the February 26 Local Government Election.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) will be opening 63 nomination centres across the island, one in each of the 63 constituencies. Nominations will take place between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

In the meantime, Director of Elections Glasspole Brown is reporting that all is in place for a smooth nomination day, based on all the preparations that have gone into holding the municipal polls, which has been delayed on three occasions.

The local government polls hold much significance for both parties, as it represents a verdict on the Andrew Holness government and a test of the Mark Golding stewardship of the PNP.