With two full days left for campaigning, officials of the People's National Party (PNP) are upset over what they claim is the use of state funds by the JLP in an effort to secure victory.
The PNP has pointed to the infrastructural work now under way in the constituency and the launch of a black tank water programme as proof that the Government was playing dirty in a desperate effort to have Gregory Mair hold on to the seat.
The Opposition is also upset with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) after it placed garbage skips in the constituency with Mair's name on them.
The PNP has called for the intervention of the political ombudsman to put an end to what it believes is "pork barrel politics".
Wearing JLP paraphernalia
"We have observed that in several instances, members of the works crew for the NSWMA and the National Works Agency (NWA) are clothed or otherwise wearing JLP paraphernalia. These include T-shirts, armbands and caps."
"We are also formally requesting a review of the procurement of contractual services by the NWA and RADA within the last several weeks to confirm whether or not the correct processes have been circumvented for political gain," the PNP said in a letter to the political ombudsman.
"While I am glad for any assistance for the suffering people of North East St Catherine, that cannot be the way that government funds are spent," Angela Brown-Burke, PNP vice-president, told The Gleaner.
Brown-Burke is leading the PNP's campaign in the constituency and she remains upbeat about the chances of its candidate Granville Valentine.
Samuda scoffed
But JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda scoffed at the PNP's claims, while expressing confidence that Mair would win with an increasing majority.
Samuda said garbage skips in his community might have his name on them as well, indicating that nothing was wrong with the practice.
The JLP general secretary also dismissed the PNP's complaints about infrastructural work now taking place in the constituency, saying the Government would not stop governing because of a by-election.
According to Samuda, any work taking place now will not affect the outcome of the election because Mair has been an outstanding member of parliament over the past 18 months.
Mair defeated the PNP's Phyllis Mitchell to win the seat in the 2007 general election but the court ordered a by-election after he admitted that he held dual citizenship at the time of the election.