Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday introduced that the long-delayed native authorities elections could be held in February 2024.
Holness reassured the general public throughout a press briefing, expressing the federal government’s dedication to upholding the constitutional necessities in regards to the native authorities elections.
“They’ve set a date. It has been postponed. If there’s a want, if one thing occurs, if there’s an exogenous shock, a climate occasion, then actually, that must be thought of. However as it’s now, it’s the intention of the Authorities to meet its constitutional duties,” he mentioned.
Budgetary constraints and election delays
– Commercial –
Earlier this 12 months, the federal government leveraged its Home of Representatives majority to move laws sanctioning the fourth delay of the elections.
The choice was grounded in budgetary considerations, with estimates suggesting that holding the native authorities elections would value round $1.5 billion.
At the moment, the federal government was additionally working to transition the Portmore Municipality into Jamaica’s fifteenth parish.
Extra on Jamaica’s election delays
Opposition’s stance on additional election delays
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The opposition, in the meantime, has warned that it’ll take the federal government to courtroom if there are any further delays to the elections.
Jamaica’s final election came about in November 2016.
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