Jamaica green signals the decision to postpone local govt elections for next 12 months

The Jamaican Government has green signalled the postponement of local government elections for the next twelve (12) months.

Jamaica green signals the decision to postpone local govt elections for next 12 months

The Jamaican Government has green signalled the postponement of local government elections for the next twelve (12) months. Yesterday, the Government has proposed a bill, and the House of Representatives has approved a further year-long extension of local government elections, which have been due since November 2020.

Meanwhile, unlike the first time extension, which was supported by both government and opposition parliamentarians for a Bill to temporarily update the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) and allow the elections to be postponed but no later than February 27, 2022, the House of Representative was divided this time with a heavy win for the Government.

The 37-7 vote was targeted by Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s proposal to control the extension to six months. Government members voted firmly with Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, who led the argument for a 12-month postponement.

Meanwhile, Golding has insisted that the Opposition parliamentarian would not agree to an extension above six months.

As per the minister, the Government has proposed that the election at the local level cannot be delayed.

“As a minister responsible for Local Government, I am ensuring that the House and the country that we are committed to having the next local government elections in nearby time. It is an important part of national life which will remain harmless by the delay of local government elections,” the minister added.