Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

Ocho Rios, St. Ann:

The people of Jamaica will be going to the polls for a second time this year, this time to elect their parish council representatives.

Following a meeting of the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Central Executive, held at the Sandals Grand Ocho Rios in St. Ann, Karl Samuda, general secretary, told The Gleaner preparations for the upcoming Local Government election was one of the topics discussed.

He said Prime Minister Bruce Golding would be sticking to his promise to hold the local government election this year.

But while no date for the election has being announced, indications are that it will be between mid-November and December, and will also be held using a new voters' list.

New list

According to Mr Samuda, "unless an election were to be called before the end of October, which is highly unlikely, but a new list is due in November, and it is on that list that an election will more than likely be held."

Mr. Samuda said the JLP has all arrangements in place for the election, with the exception of a few seats where there will be replacement of candidates.

He said the party had selected candidates in those divisions, but that some new persons have recently come forward and some candidates have expressed a desire to step aside and make way for them.

The JLP general secretary said, however, that the party expects those arrangements to be completed by the end of October.