THERE were contrasting scenes when the two candidates for South St. Andrew arrived at the Torrington United Church nomination centre.

Dennis Messias of the Jamaica Labour Party arrived shortly after 10:00 a.m. with a batch of supporters. Born in west Kingston but raised in Trench Town, Mr. Messias is contesting the seat for the third straight election against the incumbent Dr. Omar Davies.

Despite heavy defeats in the 1997 and 2002 polls, the 56-year-old leader of the Spiritual Church of God in Spanish Town said he is confident victory will be his the third time of asking.

Dr. Davies, the People's National Party's Member of Parliament since 1993, arrived just before 1:00 p.m to hand in his nomination papers. He was flocked by enthusiastic supporters dressed in orange.