“Our democracy is too precious to be sold or stolen.”

That’s the post-election statement from the People’s National Party (PNP) following what it said are deeply concerning and widespread reports of alleged vote buying and voter suppression in Wednesday’s general polls.

The preliminary results showed that the PNP secured 29 seats, losing to the Jamaica Labour Party which won 34 constituencies.

After the official count for Kingston Central yesterday the JLP secured another seat.

In a statement issued this morning, the PNP noted that it was also concerned about the long delays for voters at several polling stations.

It also expressed concern over allegations that persons in line at 5: p.m. were not allowed to vote.

The party said the alleged practices strike at the very heart of Jamaica’s democracy, undermining the right of every Jamaican, to freely choose their representatives without fear or inducement.

The PNP noted that while it respects the will of the people it cannot ignore such actions which may corrode the public’s trust in the electoral process.

It called on the Electoral Commission, law enforcement and civil society to take decisive steps to confront and eradicate such practices.

The PNP said it will hold a press conference as soon as it has compiled and fully reviewed all the data on the allegations regarding vote buying and voter suppression.

The party’s comments come in the wake of reports from Chairman of the Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) Grace Baston.

On election day, Mrs. Baston told Irie F M News that CAFFE would be investigating claims that electors had been denied voting in a few areas.

And, during a press conference on Thursday, JLP campaign chairman Dr. Christopher Tufton acknowledged that there needs to be discussions on implementing measures to ensure that the country’s electoral process is more efficient.

He said while Jamaica’s electoral process is fair a review must be conducted in the aftermath of Wednesday’s challenges.