Last Updated on August 12, 2020, 5:19 AM AST by Anthony Morris
After weeks of speculation regarding the upcoming general elections, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that Jamaica would have the general elections on September 3, 2020, and the Nomination Day would be August 18.
The Prime Minister has announced the date of elections in the parliament, after revoking the state of emergencies which currently exist on the island which is a clear indication of the elections.
Months ago, Holness promised that he would not hold a general election while the state of emergencies was still in place.
Over the last few weeks, both parties in Jamaica, the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), have been preparing for election announcement by Holness.
Jamaican voters also joined in the speculation regarding the date and started early campaignings for their members of parliament.
On Sunday, the Jamaica Labour Party presented the full list of 63 candidates to contest the polls at the meeting of the second-highest decision-making body of the party outside of the annual conference which is held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James.
Holness also reportedly told Labourites during the meeting that the general election campaign of the party would be run under the theme of ‘Recovering Stronger’.
It appeared to be an acknowledgement that much work would have to be done to rebuild the economy of Jamaica which economists say would be a long haul.
Projections are that it would take up to three years to rebuild the economy from the ravages because of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Prime Minister said weeks ago that his focus was on rebuilding the economy of the country, rather than elections.
However, analysts have urged Holness to go for the elections before 2021, as not to squander the political capital which he currently has.
Meanwhile, the People’s National Party has indicated that it is also ready to contest the elections.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
