Pottinger (left) and Grant
THE LOSER in last week's election for the post of Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) president is demanding fresh elections following allegations that the ballot was neither free nor fair, while the man who defeated him has not ruled out that possibility.
Norman Grant, who had challenged incumbent A.A. "Bobby" Pottinger for the top post in the organisation has called for fresh elections to be held. He told The Sunday Gleaner that this would help to enhance the image of the JAS, which many view as a moribound organisation plagued by internal wrangling and strife.
"There is a perception that the system did not stand up and that what took place on the day (July 26) is not in keeping with what is free and fair," he said yesterday. "I think it would be in the best interest of the JAS to (have fresh elections)."
Meanwhile, A.A. "Bobby" Pottinger, who was re-elected president, says he is not ruling out having a fresh ballot following charges.
The custos of St. Mary said the facts surrounding the elections are expected to emerge when the JAS's executive and board of management meet tomorrow and Wednesday respectively. According to Mr. Pottinger, he will be guided by the deliberations coming out of those meetings.
"I don't want any cloud hanging over my head...I'm not ruling it (fresh elections) out," Mr. Pottinger told The Sunday Gleaner yesterday.
He said, however, that it is too early to commit himself to a position, because the report of the presiding officer at the election, Ambassador Peter King, and JAS Chief Executive Officer Robert Reid had to be considered. Among the considerations, he said, would be the cost of holding a fresh ballot.
Ambassador King on Friday called for fresh elections claiming that last Wednesday's vote was neither free nor fair.
He has sent a memorandum to the JAS's board of management outlining what he said were serious problems in the conduct of the elections. Among these were the lack of systems to determine spoilt ballots; the improper determination of the list of eligible voters; and the lack of adequate machanisms to ensue that ballots were accounted for.
Last Wednesday's elections, which were held during the organisation's 105th annual general meeting in Kingston, were marred by chaos, confusion and charges of electoral fraud. The number of eligible voters was initially declared to be 276. However, when the votes were tallied Mr. Pottinger got 172 votes, 52 more than the 120 for Mr. Grant. This added up to 292 votes.
There were also 57 spoilt ballots, which on the face of it indicates that a total of 349 votes were cast, 73 more than the declared number of eligible voters.
