Holness to announce election date at JLP mass rally tomorrow

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness will announce the date of Jamaica’s next general election during the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) mass rally in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, on Sunday, the party said.

The JLP leader confirmed the plan during a meeting of the party’s Central Executive on Saturday, where candidates were instructed to approach voters with humility and a commitment to addressing the issues affecting their communities.

The Central Executive is the party's second-highest decision-making body outside of its annual conference.

The body also formally confirmed the party's 63 representatives for the parliamentary election that is expected by September.

The JLP won 49 of the 63 seats in Parliament in the last general election in 2020 and is seeking to retain power for a third consecutive term. The main opposition is the People's National Party.

Holness urged candidates to conduct their campaigns with “dignity” and in keeping with the JLP’s standards of “decency, decorum and professionalism,” while focusing on the party’s record and future plans.

"Holness also instructed candidates to ensure that they focus on working towards achieving solutions to issues facing their constituents as they seek election or re-election in various constituencies," the statement said.

The Jamaica Labour Party leader also reiterated that the party intends to continue conducting a campaign that is focused on speaking about its performance and commitment to deliver more policies and programmes that benefit the people of Jamaica.

He pointed to economic stability, more than 20 consecutive quarters of growth, eight years without new taxes, lower violent crime rates, record low unemployment, and reduced poverty as key achievements.

Holness also cited measures to address cost-of-living pressures, including higher income tax thresholds, an expanded solidarity programme, and a 150 per cent increase in the minimum wage.

The prime minister holds the constitutional authority to announce the date of elections.

Under the Constitution, Parliament must be dissolved no later than the fifth anniversary of its first sitting following the last general election. Elections must then be held within three months of the dissolution.

However, the tradition has been to call elections before the five-year term runs its full course.

The last general election was held on September 3, 2020, with the new Parliament sitting for the first time on September 15 of that year.

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.