Some want change, others want ID

Monday, March 31 was D-day for persons seeking to get their names on the voters' list in time for its next publication on May 31.

Among the persons who made it his point of duty to get enumerated was a 22-year-old Washington Gardens resident who told THE STAR of his desire to see the back of his member of parliament, Anthony Hylton.

"I refuse to be represented by the People's National Party (PNP) for another term," he shared.

Washington Gardens falls in the St Andrew Western constituency, which Hyton has represented since 2007. Considered a safe PNP seat, St Andrew Western has voted for the PNP in every election since 1976. Hylton won by 1,532 votes in the 2020 general election but the newly registered voter is looking forward to voting against him.

"The likkle time off that mi got from work, mi use it because I have to vote," he said.

When asked about the political presence in his community, he expressed deep disappointment, pointing to stagnant state of local infrastructure and representation.

"When I look at the condition of the roads in my community and the different situations going on, the only time I saw this man was February last year when they were campaigning for the local government election," he said.

Despite a family history rooted in Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) loyalty, he stressed that his registration was driven solely by a desire for meaningful change.

"I don't have any political affiliations; my family is die-hearted JLP, but I want what's best for myself and what's best for my community," he explained.

He added, "My vote will make a difference, every mickle make a muckle, one cocoa full basket. I'm still going to dip my finger in the ink and trust that by the help of God, we will see a change in our constituency."

Only persons on the list are eligible to vote in the next general election, which is scheduled by September the latest.

However, unlike the St Andrew Western resident, two Gen Zers who got enumerated in Kingston Central yesterday said their primary motivation for doing so was getting a national ID card.

Traditionally a secure seat for the PNP, Kingston Central fell to the JLP's Donovan Williams in the last general election. Williams defeated Imani Duncan-Price by 303 votes, securing 4,568 votes to Duncan-Price's 4,265.

The number of registered voters in the constituency, now regarded as marginal, has risen from 21,732 in July 2020 to 22,854 in November 2024. Similarly, St Andrew West has seen its figures jump from 36,227 in July 2020, to 38,951 as of last November.