Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday announced that the long-delayed local government elections would be held in February 2024.
Holness reassured the public during a press briefing, expressing the government’s commitment to upholding the constitutional requirements concerning the local government elections.
“They have set a date. It has been postponed. If there is a need, if something happens, if there’s an exogenous shock, a weather event, then certainly, that has to be considered. But as it is now, it is the intention of the Government to fulfill its constitutional duties,” he said.
Budgetary constraints and election delays
Earlier this year, the government leveraged its House of Representatives majority to pass legislation sanctioning the fourth delay of the elections.
The decision was grounded in budgetary concerns, with estimates suggesting that holding the local government elections would cost around $1.5 billion.
At that time, the government was also working to transition the Portmore Municipality into Jamaica’s 15th parish.
More on Jamaica’s election delays
- Jamaica’s PNP supporters protest against postponement of Local Government Elections
- Jamaica’s Local Gov’t Elections Postponed until February 2024
Opposition’s stance on further election delays
The opposition, meanwhile, has warned that it will take the government to court if there are any additional delays to the elections.
Jamaica’s last election took place in November 2016.
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