PEOPLE'S NATIONAL Party (PNP) candidate for South West St. Elizabeth, Donald Buchanan, has written to the political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, seeking his intervention into, what he claims is, repeated political intimidation taking place in the constituency over the last two weeks.

According to Mr. Buchanan, he was unhappy about the level of political intimidation being meted out against his supporters. He said over the last two weeks six incidents took place in the constituency. They include the disconnection of the public address system from one of his campaign vehicles, oiling of the roadway during a PNP motorcade, attacks on his supporters and vehicles which were a part of a motorcade in the constituency.

In his response, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for the constituency, Derrick Sangster, said, "No incidents of any political intimidation against PNP supporters was brought to my attention. In the same light, I am not denying that political tensions have been rising in South West St. Elizabeth."

He said since Nomination Day, three politically-motivated incidents occurred in the constituency, that was brought to his attention, and which were reported to the police. He said they include the burning down of a JLP supporter's house in Vineyard and physical injury to another supporter near the Treasure Beach area, when the green shirt he was wearing was cut from his body.

When contacted on Monday, Superintendent of the St. Elizabeth police division, Herman Brown, said he was pleased with the proceedings of the political campaigning in the South West constituency so far, but there was cause for concern because a number of intimidatory attacks were reported by both candidates.

"I don't think any of the candidates would have any interest in condoning the intimidatory tactics being used in the constituency, because they were the ones who reported the respective attacks on their campaigns to the police" said Mr. Brown.

He explained to The Gleaner that the police will be doing their job impartially to rid the current election campaign of violence and intimidation.