A Look at The 4 Divisions Set For Sept 3 By-Elections

For the first time in the country’s history four local by-elections are set to take place on the same day as the national polls.

By-elections have been announced in the Chancery Hall, Olympic Gardens, Seiveright Gardens and Denham Town divisions.

But what has taken place in each division to spark these by-elections?

Mahiri Stewart tells us in this report.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness announced at a JLP mass rally in Half Way Tree on Sunday that four by-elections will take place alongside the parliamentary elections set for Wednesday, September 3.

All four divisions are part of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, KSAMC.

Though all four divisions went to JLP candidates in last February’s local government elections, there’s been several developments in each division.

Jermaine Hyatt beat the PNP’s Patricia Taylor and independent candidate Alphanso George Lynch by securing over 80 percent of the total votes.

This win made him the new councillor of the Denham Town division in West Kingston.

Likewise, Christopher Townsend beat the PNP’s Ruthlyn Stoner Haughton by 1,118 votes to win another term as Councillor of the Olympic Gardens division in West Central St. Andrew.

But, both Hyatt and Townsend died less than a year after their victories.

Councillor Townsend died on November 13 last year.

Days later, Councillor Hyatt died after suffering a heart attack.

The by-elections on September 3 will fill the vacancies left by both men.

Duane Smith defeated the PNP’s Margaret Salmon by 515 votes to take Chancery Hall in North West St. Andrew.

But in October last year, Smith turned his attention to parliamentary aspirations following the resignation of former Member of Parliament for North West St. Andrew, Dr. Nigel Clarke.

Smith was victorious in a parliamentary by-election a month later to become the constituency’s new MP.

A similar scenario would take place in the Seivwright Gardens division.

Delroy Williams beat the PNP’s Paul Pink and independent candidate, Elizabeth Margaret Groves by securing 70 percent of the votes.

He too turned his attention to parliamentary service.

Williams was announced as the JLP’s caretaker for Central Clarendon.

Williams will seek to replace the outgoing JLP MP Mike Henry, a man that’s held the seat since 1980.

But, Kingston and St. Andrew’s Mayor, Andrew Swaby has indicated that he’s yet to receive a formal resignation from Williams as the Councillor for Seivwright Gardens.

He’s indicated he will seek legal advice on the matter.