JAMAICA ELECTION DAY WORKERS VOTE MONDAY 22 FEB

Next Monday, February 22 will be voting day for Election Day workers, the Police, Military and Polling Station Security Assistants.  Polling will take place from 8am to 4pm.  The EOJ has been contacting Election Day Workers who have been registered to vote and is asking those who have not yet been contacted to call the EOJ or visit their nearest Constituency Office to find out where they are assigned to vote.  The EOJ has asked the media to remind these persons that they are able to vote only on Monday 22, February.

Minister Paulwell - kudos to EOJ, Security Forces.. and Opposition!

It was encouraging to receive the following release,  communicating commendations from Minister Phillip Paulwell re an virtually incident free Nomination Day.   -  Jean Anita

Feb 10,  2016: Chairman of the People's National Party Region 3, Minister Phillip Paulwell has said the smooth operation of nominating candidates across the Corporate Area is testimony to the preparation and tireless work of the Electoral Office of Jamaica and the security forces.

Minister Paulwell also noted that the Campaign Team in Region 3 has been engaged in training and mobilization techniques which were reflected in the record breaking turnout of PNP supporters across Kingston and St. Andrew in a peaceful and disciplined manner.

He also extended congratulations to the PNP candidates particularly those who were first time nominees. Minister Paulwell said all the candidates displayed maturity and leadership which will be critical in the second term.

The Region 3 Chairman says the Region's Campaign Management Team will continue to engage workers, indoor and outdoor agents as well as supporters in an effort to ensure that the Election Campaign Guidelines are adhered to and so that Jamaica can continue to be proud of its mature electoral system.

Referring to a traditional Jamaican adage "One hand can't clap" Minister Paulwell said the Opposition Jamaica Party must also be commended for their part in contributing to an essentially incident free nomination process.

   

Visit to Trinidad

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column - 1 February 2016

Short visit to Trinidad

Prof Trevor Jackson

It was a bitter-sweet visit to Trinidad last week, as we attended the funeral of the Professor Trevor Jackson, who retired five years ago as Head of the UWI Department of Geology.  It was heartening to see the strong support of family and friends who brought comfort to his widow, Jean and his children. 

A trip to the capital Port-of-Spain revealed the tremendous development that has taken place in the few short years since I last visited the country.  Digicel Foundation Trinidad CEO Penny Gomez and Chairman Garvin Medera described the excellent projects they have been leading over the past three years, particularly in the area of special needs.  Trinidad has been well attuned to this cause, with over thirty special needs organisations.

Trinidad and Jamaica have some challenges in common: crime, road deaths and the Zika virus. There are the various editorials and discussions around these issues, and as I observed our commonalities, I remember how disappointed my dear father was when Jamaica voted against a Caribbean Federation.  How much richer, better organised and more educated we would be if we had focused on regional development and less on political control of various fiefdoms.

May our leaders look beyond their backdoors to the promising horizon of regional unity and help CARICOM to fulfil its rich potential. 

48 Hours of Bob!

Digicel celebrates music legend's 71st birthday with 48-hour live stream

Kingston, Jamaica – Friday, 5th February 2016: Total communications and entertainment provider, Digicel, will this year celebrate music legend, Bob Marley's 71st birthday with a 48-hour live stream.

The stream, which will start 12:00am on Saturday, 6th February, will feature exclusive Bob Marley content inclusive of the 2015 Redemption Concert that was held in downtown, Kingston, plus highlights from this year's Bob Marley birthday celebrations at the Bob Marley Museum, the Marley documentary by Kevin McDonald, as well as interviews and music videos.

The highlight on the live stream will be this year's Redemption Live concert that will be held at Sabina Park on 7th February, starting at 7pm. Boasting a mix of veterans and reggae crooners, the impressive lineup will see the likes of Bugle, Coco Tea, I-Octane, Jesse Royale, Leroy Sibbles, Morgan Heritage, Nesbeth, Sizzla and Tanya Stephens, among others taking the stage come Sunday night.

Gramps Morgan, from the 2016 Reggae Grammy-nominated, Morgan Heritage said; "We are looking forward to Sunday as we haven't performed in Jamaica for a while, especially in Kingston. Our fans can expect to hear some of their favourite Morgan Heritage hits as well as new songs from our Grammy-nominated album. We want everyone to come out or tune in to the live stream as we know with Digicel, it will be a first class production."

Peter Lloyd, Director of Group Marketing for Digicel Caribbean and Central America said; "Much like Bob Marley's music, the Internet transcends geographical borders and we're very happy to celebrate the iconic reggae star's birthday with the world through our 48-hour live stream."

48-hours of Bob will be streamed on the Digicel Jamaica YouTube page- www.youtube.com/DigicelJamaica and available worldwide inclusive of Digicel's 32 markets.

Digicel and Tuff Gong International have been partners for several years; the partnership gives the telecommunications and entertainment company access to exclusive Bob Marley content and use of his image and music.

Memorial Service for the late Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Aníbal Julio Jiménez y Abascal

  February 1, 2016.  The Embassy of Spain has organised a Memorial Service of Thanksgiving for the late Ambassador of Spain, His Excellency Aníbal Jiménez Abascal, to be celebrated at the Stella Maris Catholic Church on Friday, February 5, 2016, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Ambassador Jiménez Abascal, who passed away suddenly on December 11, 2015 while on vacation in Madrid., and whose remains were subsequently cremated, began his assignment in  Jamaica in August  2014.  At the time of his death, he was also Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis.

He is survived by his wife, mother and sister.   

Angela Bodden-Watson Administrative Officer, Political Section Tlf:  +876 929 5555/ 764 0063    Fax: + 876 929 5555 Email: angela.bodden-watson@maec.es 6th Floor, Courtleigh Corporate Centre 6 – 8 St. Lucia Avenue,  Kingston 5

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