Jamaica: Holness hints at an early election

Jamaica Prime Minister., Andrew Holness. Photo: Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hinted of the possibility of an early general election saying that the electoral office “must always be ready to give the government the capacity to make a decision”.

Holness agreed with the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) that the election machinery must be in place before any poll is carried out. There has been growing speculation that the country could go to the polls ahead of the constitutional deadline of December 2012 as Mr. Holness seeks a fresh mandate for the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) and by extension himself.

Opposition Leader (and former Prime Minister) Portia Simpson-Miller has called on Holness, to reassure the country that the upcoming elections will be held, at least, at the same standard as the last polls in 2007. She indicated that the PNP will not be party to an election being called without the Jamaican electoral commission being adequately prepared.