Nomination Day: What time Dr Waul, Warmington will be nominated?

The increase in advertisement on all media is quite visibly and very audible with dancehall dub-plates dominating the space in the most unexpected way.

Here in the constituency of St Catherine South Western, going by the appropriate term used by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), the excitement is rising, as is everywhere else in the other 62 constituencies.

Medical doctor and native of Old Harbour Bay Dr Kurt Waul is the latest People’s National Party (PNP) candidate tasked with the responsibility to unseat Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) incumbent Everald Warmington, who is aiming for a record extending fifth term as the people’s representative.

What really happens on Nomination Day?

For those who don’t know, here are the facts about Nomination Day, from the Representation of the People Act:

• 1. Nomination of candidates must take place in a public building situated in the constituency he/she is seeking to represent, as deemed appropriate by the Electoral Office of Jamaica returning officer.
• 2. Nominations must take place between 10am and 2pm. However, the returning officer has the power to adjourn proceedings and continue the next day (unless that day is a Sunday or public holiday) if it is interrupted by violence or civil disturbance. In such a case, anything validly done prior to the adjournment still stands, and nomination activities may continue between 10am and noon.
• 3. To qualify as a candidate for nomination, the person must satisfy the following criteria:
  • Be a citizen of Jamaica or the Commonwealth. In the case of the latter, the person must be domiciled in Jamaica for a minimum of one year.
  • Be at least 21 years old.
  • Be registered on the voters list.
  • Be qualified, by virtue of sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution, to sit as a member of the House of Representatives. This includes not being adjudged bankrupt; not having any allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or State; not being certified as insane; not being convicted of any offence connected with the election of members of the House of Representatives.

4. To be duly nominated, any person wishing to register as a candidate is required to:

• Fill out a nomination paper (form) which has been signed by any 10 or more electors registered to vote in the constituency
• Return the form to the returning officer between the stipulated hours (10am – 2pm)
• Pay the nomination fee of J$3,000
•  
• 5. A duly nominated candidate may withdraw at any time not less than 168 hours before the opening of the poll on Election Day. To do so, he/she must file a declaration with the returning officer, which must bear his/her signature along with those of two qualified electors in the constituency. Of course, come Election Day, any votes cast for the candidate is null and void.
• 6. If a candidate withdraws after nomination, the returning officer must notify the presiding officer in his/her constituency beforehand. On Election Day, a public notice of the withdrawal must be prominently displayed in the polling station.
• 7. If only one candidate is nominated, or if a withdrawal leaves only one candidate, the returning officer shall return as duly elected the candidate so remaining without waiting for Election Day.
• 8.  In the event of the death of a nominated candidate, the Act stipulates that the returning officer, after communicating with the Chief Electoral Officer, must adjourn polling for that constituency and allow for new nominations. The same rules as above apply. Polling must take place within one month of the day originally fixed for the election.

After consulting with the relevant authorities, Old Harbour News can report that as the challenger Dr Waul, 43, will – between the hours of 11:00 am and 12 noon – make his walk from the PNP constituency office on East Street to the EOJ constituency office on South Street to be duly nominated.

And just like in the sport of boxing, the defending champion comes afterwards. Warmington, 68, will proceed to be nominated via the same route during the hours of 12 midday and 1:00 pm.

Both candidates are likely to be backed by large crowds, COVID-19 notwithstanding, while they make the roughly 120 metres trek to the EOJ office in the constituency.

Meanwhile, head of the police sub-division of Old Harbour DSP Damion Manderson, said  the police will be out in their numbers to ensure that normal vehicular traffic isn’t interrupted during the nomination period on the day, as well as maintaining law and order.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic the police aren’t anticipating a massive turnout of ardent supporters from either side, Manderson noted is but urging motorists to utilise alternate routes if possible to get around the town at that time.