PNP wins Portmore by-election

Forty-six-year-old Gary Nicholson yesterday won the Greater Portmore North Division in a municipal by-election that was marred by low voter turnout.

After all 38 boxes were counted, Nicholson polled 2,125 votes, increasing the majority by 1,108 more votes than what was cast in the November Local Government Election to recapture the division for the People's National Party (PNP).

The Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Ann Marie Lewis, who contested the division for the second time in less than six months, polled 994 votes, also increasing her total.

This means that Spanish Town's mayor Norman Scott will continue to be the chairman of the largest municipal corporation in the island, with a one-seat majority, having won 21 divisions to the JLP's 20.

Nicholson, who could not cast a vote for himself because he does not live in the division, told THE STAR that his victory represents a resounding rejection of the JLP's policies.

"I am humbled by this victory in which I have increased the majority. My first order of business is to go to the people and say thanks," the elated Nicholson said.