Counting is underway following the close of polls in today’s (Oct 30) three by-elections.

A little more than 50 % of voters turned-out to cast their ballots in the St. Mary South Eastern seat.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) says up to 3:00 p.m. there was a 52.3% voter turnout in the constituency, which is the site of a hotly contested battle between the JLP’s  Dr. Norman Dunn, and the PNP Dr. Shane Alexis.

Meantime, about a quarter of voters cast their ballots in St. Andrew Southern, while a little less than a quarter of voters turned-out in St. Andrew South Western.

Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher says the management of crowds was the major issue for security and electoral officials outside polling stations in today’s by-elections.

He says there was no issue inside polling stations.

The e-o-j says results of today’s by-elections should be ready by 7:30 this evening.