PSOJ: Further postponement of local gov’t elections would hurt democracy

Jamaica’s most high-profile business lobby has criticised the Holness administration for delaying local government elections, warning that further postponement would undermine democracy.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang has cited economic challenges as a factor in the expected postponement of the elections, which are due by February 28.

“This is both disheartening and concerning, given the importance we place on prioritising and safeguarding all aspects of our democracy,” the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) said in a statement Wednesday.

“... The reasons cited by the Government are an unacceptable stance to be taken on the implementation of such a core component in our democratic process. The elections, which are constitutionally due by the end of February, should be given utmost priority by the Government, with necessary steps taken to have them held urgently.”

Local government elections were last held in November 2016 and were initially scheduled for late 2019.

A general election was held in August 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but an explosion of Omicron in late 2021 caused the Government to hold off on municipal polls.

The Senate, in 2022, approved amendments to temporarily modify the Representation of the People (Postponement of Elections to Municipal Corporations and City Municipalities) Act to allow the municipal polls to be put off for a further 12 months.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica has disclosed that it was not fully prepared to host the local government elections within the stipulated timeline because of budgetary constraints.

That spend is expected to top $1 billion.

The national Budget for 2022-23 was $998 billion and the 2023-24 edition, tabled Tuesday, hit the $1-trillion mark.

The PSOJ said in its statement that having achieved macroeconomic stability with a strong outlook, the Government should complement that goal with sound governance practices.

“An efficient democracy depends on all stakeholders, particularly our elected officials, exercising a duty of care to ensure that good governance practices are maintained. The continued delays in holding the elections are not reflective of the fundamental principles of a free and democratic society ... ,” the private-sector group said.