JLP Wins Local Elections By Landslide

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has cemented itself as an unstoppable force in the Jamaican political environment. The Andrew Holness led administration entered the
Local Elections in a most disadvantageous position being decimated in 2012 … losing all thirteen then Parish Councils now renamed as Municipal Corporations.

They have won the Local Elections by a landslide, defying all odds … in Jamaica W.I.

The results so far is a reversal and almost full control of about 10 out of 13 possible Municipalities which were up for grabs.

The JLP made strategic moves in terms of timing, which seem to have served them well.

Lisa “Jezebel” Hanna

It was a relatively incident free day, based on police reports apart from a reported voter intimidation if St. Catherine and verbal assault of Journalists in the former beauty queen’s constituency.

Media covering voting in Lisa “Jezebel” Hanna, troubled South East St. Ann constituency hurled insults at media and the police had to intervene. No arrests were made.

Portia Under Pressure

There has been calls for renewal in the People’s National Party which has been interpreted as an attack on the leadership of Party Leader Portia Simpson Miller. The loyalists have encircled their wagons and came to the defense of Portia Simpson Miller saying she should be given a chance to set her own time table for her departure and ultimately into political retirement. Many of her supporters disagree.

Popular Vote

The Jamaica Labour Party has overwhelmingly won the popular vote.

These are preliminary counts and we have to await the final count and certification by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ). The elections are conducted by the ELECTORAL OFFICE OF JAMAICA (EOJ).

The results are not likely to change significantly on the final count.

PM Holness and his team of the Hon. Desmond McKenzie et al must be congratulated for the success of the JLP.

This is a momentous moment for the JLP. The prize Municipality is the KSAC which the JLP seem to have captured from the PNP narrowly. A win is a win!

HOPETON O’CONNOR-DENNIE is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.