Government members vote to postpone municipal elections in Jamaica
Published:Wednesday | February 16, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter
AFTER A raging three-hour debate, government MPs yesterday used their superior numbers to push through two bills postponing local government polls until March next year.
During the debate, state minister with responsibility for local government, Robert Montague, said the Statistical Institute of Jamaica had indicated that electioneering could affect the efficient collection of data under the 2011 population and housing census.
However, the parliamentary Opposition said the Government was "in retreat" as it could not face Jamaicans at the polls at this time.
"They cannot face the people. It is not a nice thing to become the first first-term Government," Eastern Hanover MP Dr D.K. Duncan said.
Colin Fagan, the opposition spokesman on local government, said if the Government continued to put off the elections, it would find itself in office "but don't have any power".
Fagan complained that the administration was denying Jamaicans the opportunity to elect their local representatives.
East Central St Andrew MP Dr Peter Phillips said he was saddened to hear that local government institutions were being used as political footballs.
At the end of the debate, when House Speaker Delroy Chuck put the question to the members, a divide was called by the Opposition.
A subsequent vote resulted in government members prevailing with a majority.
Result of vote
30 - Yes
23 - No
Six members absent