| Henry-Wilson leads in recount |
| Observer Reporter Wednesday, October 30, 2002 |
MAXINE Henry-Wilson, who won the South East St Andrew seat for the People's National Party (PNP), yesterday maintained her lead over the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP's) Phillip Henriques in the magisterial recount taking place at the Sutton Street Resident Magistrate's court in Kingston.
After the votes for 45 polling divisions were recounted yesterday, Henry-Wilson polled 1,514 votes to Henriques' 1,424.
Preliminary and final counts following the October 16 general elections had given the hotly-contested seat to Henry-Wilson (4,418 votes) over Henriques, who received 3,794 ballots.
Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle is in charge of the magisterial tally which will continue today at the same venue.
The PNP was represented by attorney Paul Melbourne, while the JLP's interest was represented by Kent Gammond.
Melbourne had put forth arguments that the magisterial recount should be called off as the affidavit filed by the JLP was not in accordance with Section 47 Subsection 1 of the Representation of the People Act. However, after hearing a rebuttal by Gammond and reviewing the law carefully, RM Gayle ruled that the recount should go ahead.
Returning officer for the constituency, Paul McCallum, and clerk of the courts, Ruth Lawrence, also assisted in the recounting process.
There are 108 polling divisions and 112 polling stations in the constituency.