Injured but determined: Nerissa Allen votes despite foot injury in St Elizabeth North Eastern

Though still nursing an injury after a car ran over her foot last Friday, that did not stop Nerissa Allen from casting her vote in the St Elizabeth North Eastern constituency today.

Allen hopped and skipped over the hilly terrain to ensure her vote for Jamaica Labour Party candidate Delroy Slowley was lodged.

Allen, who is from the neighbouring Seven Corner community, voted at Leeds Primary School.

Slowley is running against the PNP's Zulieka Jess, Shaw Myrie of the Jamaica Progressive Party, and Joseph Patterson of the United Independents Congress.

Here, a lack of jobs, inadequate healthcare, and farming assistance are among the top priorities for constituents, who braved the scorching midday sun and polling station delays to play a part in the island's democracy.

"I had to come out and vote for Slowley because he has been working, and I'm confident that he is going to win," she said, adding that getting to her ballot was challenging because of the location.

Allen was aided by crutches and, at intervals, human shoulders as she traversed the area.

Meanwhile, Pastor Nijel Mullings, also a resident of Seven Corner, affirmed his support for Slowley.

"I'm excited about this day. It is a day of victory," chanted Mullings, to the support of onlookers beside him.

"Slowley is a good person and he is an all-rounder, even before he went into politics," said Mullings.

"If he wins, I want to see a call centre develop in St Elizabeth so that young people can get more work. We also want a hospital closer here, and more farm work tickets issued because the area is developing big time."

At Leeds Primary and Infant School, the crowd grew larger as electors waited their turn at the polls shortly before midday.

Most complained about the unrelenting sun.

Nonetheless, the sacrifice is worth it, said PNP supporter Wilbert Small, of neighbouring South Hampton in the parish.

For him, St Elizabeth's saving grace is farming, which needs an injection of rejuvenation, he said.

"I think the PNP party does a better economy so that the poorer class of people like myself can survive," said Small.

"Under the JLP government in the '80s, things were sky-high, and this government is worse!"

"If Jess wins, one of the main things that grow North East St Elizabeth is farming. I would like to see us get back there," he said, citing vibrant agricultural produce that were once exported in tonnes from the 'breadbasket' parish. Those have dwindled over the years," he added.

- Corey Robinson

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