Jamaica tight-lipped on support as elections draw nearer

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The outcome of tomorrow’s Cricket West Indies presidential elections is likely to rest on the Jamaica votes but the cricket association here has remained tightlipped on their support.

Both the incumbent president Dave Cameron and challenger Ricky Skerritt met with the JCA last week to present their plans, with the local governing body subsequently holding a vote on Monday to decide which candidate would receive its two votes.

However, the JCA said it was still not in a position to communicate the result of that vote by its body.

“I can’t give that information. The process is not yet completed, as soon as that process is complete, I will communicate with the executive,” honourary secretary, Diahann Campbell told the Gleaner newspaper here.

“The returning officer has not submitted the information, as soon as that is done, the executive will be communicated to.”

The official added: “The JCA isn’t holding on to the information. The JCA has embarked on a process and that process is not yet completed. I would have to speak to the returning officer [to know when it will be completed].”

Cameron and vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan has already received public backing from Barbados, Guyana and the Windward Islands, handing them six of the 12 votes up for grabs.

Skerritt, a former St Kitts and Nevis government minister, along with running mate Dr Kishore Shallow, have secured the support of Trinidad and Tobago and Leeward Islands.

The JCA was the only association to reserve its support until it heard the plans of both presidential candidates.

Cameron is seeking a fourth successive term in charge of CWI after taking up the position in 2013 when he toppled former St Lucian diplomat, Dr Julian Hunte, to whom he had previously served as vice-president.