UPDATE | St James councillors who affirmed oath to be duly installed

WESTERN BUREAU: The two St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC) councillors who were unable to take their seats in today's sitting of the corporation's monthly meeting because they affirmed rather than swore their oath as councillors will be duly installed next month.

Anthony Murray, the councillor for the Rose Hall division, and Gregory Harris, the councillor for the Salt Spring division, ended up walking out of this morning's meeting after questions were raised concerning the fact that both men chose to affirm rather than swear on the Bible during the corporation's first meeting under newly-minted Mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon.

In a press release issued this evening, the StJMC sought to give assurance that it had received confirmation that the men's act of affirmation was acceptable under the Oaths Act.

“Research by Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Naudia Crosskill, and communication with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development revealed that Section 6 of the Oaths Act, 1973, allows for affirmation in cases where individuals opt not to swear,” the release noted.

It also sought to clarify that Murray and Harris had not been disqualified from taking their seats as had been indicated in earlier reports following the meeting.

During today's meeting, reference was made to Sections 29 and 30 of the Local Governance Act which outline the procedure under which duly elected mayors and councillors take the oath of office.

Under Section 29 of the Local Governance Act, the wording of the oath of office stipulates that the elected individual shall swear to fulfil the duties of their office to the best of their ability without fear or favour.

Section 30 of the Act states that any duly elected person who refuses or neglects to take and subscribe to the prescribed oath of office will be immediately disqualified and will cease to hold the office.

However, according to Section 6 of the Oaths Act, a person may be permitted to make a solemn affirmation in place of swearing or taking an oath, in circumstances where an oath is or may be required by law.

Murray and Harris had been allowed affirmations when they were sworn in as councillors during last week's installation ceremony on March 7, following their victory in the February 26 local government elections.

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