Local Government Election Set For November 28, Nomination Day Next Week Friday

By: Admin

Image caption: Prime Minister Andrew Holness (right) and Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie share smiles at the Local Government Election announcement at the Jamaica Conference Centre - Ricardo Makyn Photo

Local Government Elections are to be held on Monday November 28. Nomination Day is Friday November 11.

The Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie made the announcement a short while ago at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

Under the Representation of the People Act, Nomination Day shall be at least five clear days after the announcement of an election.

The law also provides for election day to be at least 16 days, or not more than 23 days, after nomination day.

The Gleaner yesterday reported that Director of Elections Orrette Fisher had signalled that the window for calling local government elections before year end was closing rapidly.

Fisher said: "My ideal, in order to be really fully prepared, is three months, but I can work with two months. You begin to get a little nervous once it goes below that."

Earlier, McKenzie responded to claims by the Opposition Spokesman on Local Government Noel Arscott that the government seems to be withholding funds from the councils because they are dominated by the People's National Party (PNP).

McKenzie says the councils have failed to submit the requisite submissions in order for the ministry to release the funds.

He also said the Jamaica Labour Party will be seeking to increase its control of parish council

"In some parishes we don't have one councillor, in some we have one. We want now to shift the balance of power. We want to put it in the hands of a caring party," he said.

Number of prospective candidates:
JLP: 228
PNP: 228

Current balance of power:
PNP controls 13 parish councils and Portmore Municipal Council
JLP controls 0

Division count:
PNP: 152
JLP: 75
IND: 01