PNP urges speedy probe into East Portland vote-buying allegations

PORT ANTONIO, PORTLAND: PEOPLE’S NATIONAL Party (PNP) President Dr Peter Phillips is charging that his party lost its 30-year grip on the East Portland seat in the recent by-election as a result of vote-buying, telling supporters that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) outspent the PNP 10 to one.

In a fiery address at a meeting in Port Antonio, Portland, on Sunday, he questioned the source of the funds used to run JLP’s campaign in a clash which saw Ann-Marie Vaz defeating Damion Crawford. The seat had become vacant following the February murder of Member of Parliament Dr Lynvale Bloomfield.

Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown had disclosed that her office had received reports of vote-buying in the April 4 by-election and that she had turned over the matter to the police.

URGENCY IN PROBE

On Sunday, Phillips called for urgency in the probe.

“Because of a certain fact, the security forces are investigating ... people for vote-buying in East Portland, and I only hope that the security forces will conduct their investigations more speedily and more effectively than them conducting the investigations into Petrojam, and them conducting them investigations into the Ministry of Education, and Caribbean Maritime University, and the thousands and thousands ... of scandals that are around,” he said. “Because if they keep letting people break the law with impunity, they will have a lawless country.”

Phillips charged that the Government used state resources to its advantage during the campaign, including in roadwork projects in the constituency.

A DESPERATE NEED

The PNP president, who is facing a leadership challenge from Peter Bunting, said there is a desperate need for the PNP to undertake a vigorous public-education campaign of the youths, so as to sensitise them about the struggle in acquiring universal adult suffrage, which paved the way for every Jamaican to have the democratic right to vote.

He said the youth need to be made aware that many Jamaicans died during the valiant struggle to secure the right for everyone to vote, “and that they cannot sell that birthright fi $2,000 or even $200,000 because it is something earned by the blood, sweat, and tears of the generations past”.

Phillips also made a commitment that under a PNP-led Government, he would ensure that the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) at Passley Gardens becomes the University of Eastern Jamaica.

“The vision that CASE can become a full-fledged university is a vision developed by the People’s National Party and is a mission of the next People’s National Party Government,” he said.

“And one more thing! Damion (Crawford) is here to stay,” Phillips added.

Earlier, Crawford said that there is a great need for Jamaicans to unite against corruption in all forms.