TWO YEARS and a day after he was first elected to the House of Representatives, Michael Stern is today returning to the people of North West Clarendon for a mandate to continue his work.

Standing in his way is Eton Williams, who proclaims the symbol of the lighthouse and reads from the pages of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) as Stern did before he defected to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Both are contesting a by-election in the constituency that was ordered after the court found that Stern was ineligible for a seat in Gordon House at the time of the 2007 general election.

Although Williams does not have any political pedigree, having received eight votes the last time he ran in an election, Stern is anticipating a competition. To this end, he has shelled out nearly $10 million on his campaign, claiming that it would have been a walkover had it not been for the Opposition People's National Party (PNP).

"The People's National Party has been putting their workers out to work for the NDM and the party has been meeting secretly with Mr Williams," Stern claimed yesterday.

'Buy' election

The PNP had pulled out of the by-election, claiming it has become a "buy" election and that the country's resources could be better spent in other areas.

Williams told The Gleaner yesterday that a win was on the cards for him.

"It might be a small win, but expect a win," Williams said.

"There is a new wind blowing in the constituency. The people are dissatisfied with the level of representation they have been getting. I feel confident that based on the dissatisfaction, there will be a windfall in my direction," he added.

On the issue of whether he has colluded with the PNP to improve his chances against Stern, Williams said he did not know what colour the people supporting him wore in previous elections.

Meanwhile, Luther Buchanan, deputy general secretary of the PNP, said there was no truth to Stern's claim that his party has joined forces with the NDM.

"He is a nervous chicken running behind a hen," Buchanan said.

Director of Elections Orrette Fisher said all was in place for today's polls. Voting will take place in 105 polling stations at 54 locations. Polls open at 7 a.m. and and close at 5 p.m. and Fisher said he expects to have the results by 7 p.m.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com