Too close to call

Anthony Myers
Contributor

IN THE upcoming general election the results in the constituency of St. Elizabeth South Western will be too close to call.

St. Elizabeth South Western was among the 13 newly-created constituencies in 1959.

Of the nine contested Parliamentary General Elections (1959-1997) the JLP won four times to the PNP's five. The JLP had victories in 1959, 1962, 1967 and 1980 while the PNP had victories in 1972, 1976, 1989, 1993 and 1997. With the exception of 1980 when Derrick B. Sangster (JLP), defeated Donald Buchanan (PNP) by a majority of 3,020, all results from 1959 to 1997 have been extremely close.

In 1959 Charles D. Wright (JLP), defeated E.V. Allen (PNP), by six votes. C.D. Wright 4,398; E.V. Allen 4,392. Charles D. Wright's record of having represented St. Elizabeth South Western for three consecutive terms ­ 1959, 1962 and 1967 was equalled by the incumbent Donald Buchanan in 1997. It is interesting to note that Donald Buchanan's victory in 1997 was his third consecutive over his old rival Derrick Sangster (JLP).

St. Elizabeth South Western is a swing constituency; it moves in tandem with the national pendulum. With an increase of approximately 9 per cent (1,705) in the number of electors on list for the 2002 general election both major parties are confident of victory. Can Derrick Sangster deny his nemesis, Donald Buchanan a four-timer? Only time will tell as this contest will be extremely close ­ too close to call.

GENERAL ELECTION (PARLIAMENTARY) - PROJECTION 2002

2002
E/L	20,728
A/B	16,530 (79.7%)
PNP	8,227 (49.8)
JLP	8,303 (50.2%)
Majority (JLP)	76

GENERAL ELECTIONS (SUMMARY) 1959-1997

1959
E/L	13,819
B/C	8,858
A/B	8,790
R/B	68
E.V. Allen, PNP	4,392
Charles D. Wright, JLP	4,398

1962
E/L	11,744
B/C	8,912
A/B	8,836
R/B	76
William E. Sanderson, PPP	151
Winston M. Walters, PNP	4,074
Charles D. Wright, JLP	4,611

1967
E/L	9,732
B/C	8,020
A/B	7 966
R/B	55
Harrington B. Crawford, PNP	3,624
Charles D. Wright, JLP	4,341

1972
E/L	10,918
B/C	8,975
A/B	8,901
R/B	74
Melford Brown, PNP	4,918
Charles D. Wright, JLP	3,983

1976
E/L	15,116
B/C	13,384
A/B	13,326
R/B	58
Melford Brown, PNP	6,796
Derrick B. Sangster, JLP	6,530

1980
E/L	15,650
B/C	14,169
A/B	14,090
R/B	79
Donald Buchanan, PNP	5,535
Derrick B. Sangster, JLP	8,555

1983
E/L	15,650
Derrick B. Sangster, JLP	(elected unopposed by acclamation)

1989
E/L	16,635
B/C	13,996
A/B	13,957
R/B	39
Donald Buchanan, PNP	7,479
Derrick B. Sangster, JLP	6,478

1993
E/L	16,717
B/C	12,710
A/B	12,686
R/B	B24
Donald Buchanan, PNP	6,552
Derrick B. Sangster, JLP	6,134

1997
E/L	19,023
B/C	15,406 (81.0%)
A/B	15,337 (99.6%)
R/B	67 ( 0.4%)
Donald Buchanan, PNP	7,956 (51.9%)
Derrick B. Sangster, JLP	7,246 (47.2%)
Faith Blackwood, NDM	135 ( 0.9%)

NOTE:
E/L:	Electors on List
B/C:	Ballots Cast
A/B:	Accepted Ballots
R/B:	Rejected Ballots