Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Labour Party candidate for St. Catherine Central, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, and her People's National Party opponent, Rohan Silvera, show each other some love along Brunswick Avenue in Spanish Town, yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine:

If the display of friendly rivalry in Central St. Catherine is anything to go by, then the August 27 general election is likely to be a peaceful one.

It was a sight to behold Rohan Silvera of the People's National Party (PNP) and his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rival, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, holding hands, with the former wiping perspiration from the latter's forehead.

In fact, the candidates went as far as to travel in the same vehicle for parts of the journey.

When Ms. Grange got to the nomination centre at 74 Brunswick Avenue, there were hundreds of green-clad persons shouting "showa! Showa!" At this point, Mr. Silvera returned to his vehicle and his supporters.

Stand-off

At the gate, however, there was a stand-off between security personnel and Ms. Grange after they refused to allow more than 10 persons to enter with the candidate.

Ms. Grange argued for some time with personnel at the office, telling them not to disrespect her since she was being cooperative.

The issue, Ms. Grange explained, occurred because of a breakdown in communication.

"We had a meeting and it was agreed that we would be given 10 plus or five others and now this is what it has come to. You need to do more than this," said Ms. Grange.

She then paid her $3,000 nomination fee and became one of the candidates officially nominated to represent their respective parties.

In general, there was friendly rivalry shown by supporters and leaders of the major political parties who were in agreement that peace would be maintained in the upcoming election.

The police reported no unusual occurrences, apart from the pile-up of traffic caused by the jubilant supporters of both parties.

Candidates' professions

Candidates representing the two main political parties - the People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) - are drawn from a range of professions. A breakdown shows the following:

For the PNP
	Nine lawyers
	Ten educators
	Six medical doctors
	Three dental surgeons
	One veterinary surgeon
	Five farmers
	Eleven businessmen
	One communication consultant
	One social worker
	Two accountants
	One investment banker
	Two company directors
	Two managing directors
	One insurance executive
	Two engineers
	One building contractor
	One minister of religion
	One industrial relations specialist.
For the JLP
	Nineteen businessmen (one woman included)
	Ten lawyers
	One filmmaker
	Five medical doctors
	One veterinarian
	One agriculturalist
	One minister of religion
	Two trade unionists
	Seven company directors
	One company president
	One publisher
	Two farmers
	One engineer
	One life underwriter
	One architect
	One insurance consultant
	One project manager
	One marketing representative
	One marketing consultant
	One building contractor