My First Real Jamaican Election Watch Party

My First Real Jamaican Election Watch Party Experience

This was my very first time attending a real Jamaican election watch party, and what a night it was! The event took place at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), and from the moment I walked in, the vibes were at a fever pitch.

Half the room showed up decked out in their party colours, green and orange, proudly repping JLP and PNP. The energy was perfectly balanced, with supporters on both sides cheering, chanting, and hoping their party would come out on top. Honestly, if you closed your eyes, you couldn’t tell which side had the upper hand, the noise level was equal, the passion unmatched.

The atmosphere? Electric.

Pot covers clanged, horns bellowed, and bells rang as the room pulsed with friendly rivalry. To top it off, singers, Comfort and Mr. Alvin Patrick took the stage with live renditions of rocksteady and ska riddims, keeping everyone grooving between election updates.

It transported me right back to Jamaica, where just weeks ago I had witnessed JLP and PNP supporters out on the streets campaigning with the same fiery energy. But this time, there was something different, something refreshing. This wasn’t the violence of 1980, when nearly 1,000 lives were lost during election campaigns. Instead, this was about joy, camaraderie, and democracy in motion.

The suspense kept us all glued to the big screen. With results coming in neck-and-neck, no party ever pulling ahead by more than two seats at a time, the tension made it impossible for anyone to leave early. We all stayed, biting our nails, laughing, debating, and celebrating together.

And of course, no Jamaican event is complete without the food. A four-course spread of jerk chicken, soup, fritters, festival, and more kept us satisfied as the night stretched on.

Put simply: The night was ecstatic. Electrifying. Unforgettable.

I am grateful to have been one of the moderators for this historic gathering. Thank you, Danae Peart, for sharing the stage with me, and Dr. Sylvanus Thompson and Herrol Mattock for trusting us with this incredible opportunity.

What a night. What an experience. Democracy Jamaican-style, alive and well in the diaspora.

Overall, I truly enjoyed the election campaign in Jamaican politics this year. Win, lose, or draw, there’s an energy that is unmatched and absolutely lovable. The anger of the past has faded, replaced by a spirit of brotherhood, peace, and vibrant celebration.