Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader Bruce Golding (centre) is flanked by his wife Lorna (left) and Desmond McKenzie, chairman of the JLP's campaign committee as he makes his way to the nomination centre yesterday. In background are son, Steven, and daughter, Annmerita. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer Nomination Day activities in Kingston Western took on a carnival-like flavour yesterday with supporters of both major political parties dancing together in the streets to popular songs used in political advertisements by both the People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
JLP leader Bruce Golding arrived at the Denham Town Comprehensive High School about 12:45 p.m. with marching bands and thousands of constituents to register his name among the candidates for the August 27 election.
He was also accompanied by his wife, Lorna, son, Steven, and daughters, Annmerita and Sherine. Before the nomination exercise started, the JLP leader and his team held hands and prayed.
Armed with 30 one-hundred-dollar bills bearing the image of former Prime Minister Donald Sangster, Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie paid the $3,000 fee to returning officer, Augustus McLean, who checked the nomination papers and completed the exercise in less than 10 minutes.
In an interview with journalists, Mr. Golding said Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller should savour the last 19 days she has in office, as his party was about to sweep the election.
He told Labourites in Western Kingston that a new JLP administrationwould continue the work started by former Prime Minister Edward Seaga to expand the Coronation Market.
Earlier, PNP candidate for Western Kingston, Joseph 'Bunny' Witter, arrived with scores of supporters who created a blend of orange and green when they mixed with the hundreds of Labourites on Spanish Town Road in friendly rivalry.
Mr. Witter was nominated about 11:05 a.m. and the process was observed by three representatives from the Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE).
- Edmond Campbell
