( l - r ) STERN, WILLIAMS

The National Democratic Movement (NDM) candidate Eaton Williams and the Jamaica Labour Party's Michael Stern went to be nominated for the September 4 by-election in North West Clarendon in contrasting fashion.

The JLP obviously had more than its fair share of persons from which to select its endorsers, while for the NDM, coming up with the 10 required was not so simple.

DAY TRANSFORMED

A frenetic 45-minute search for the names of the 10 to endorse Williams' candidacy transformed what had until then been an uneventful day.

The first two hours brought nothing but boredom as electoral officials, Citizens for Free and Fair Elections, as well as police personnel were lulled into a state of languid anticipation with very little to do under piercing summer heat.

However, the scene changed midday when ringing bells, booming music and green T-shirts heralded the arrival of a throng of JLP supporters to the nearby town square.

While the JLP paraded in the square, the NDM candidate and a small group of men quietly made their way into the nomination centre.

With the Orette Fisher-led Electoral Office of Jamaica keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings, the returning officer for North West Clarendon, Cecil Peters, handed Williams the voters' list.

The search for the names of the 10 persons had begun. Soon there were signs that Williams was encountering problems.

The exercise turned out to be a long, scary affair for the NDM, as they were unable to locate the names for which they were searching.

As Williams frantically pored through the voluminous voters' list, he was asked by journalists whether he was encountering difficulties.

DESPERATE SEARCH

An obviously worried Williams stared speechless at the journalists before responding "Yes … it is the first time I am seeing the list."

Fifteen minutes later, Williams was still desperately searching.

This prompted the intervention of Fisher.

The director of elections later told journalists that he had suggested another method to locating the names as the NDM had failed to carry out an initial check of the list.

The search continued for another 20 minutes before the names were found.

At this stage, the NDM member breathed a sigh of relief and then with a broad smile told journalists that he was confident of victory in the September 4 polls.