2020_Jamaican_general_election

2020 Jamaican general election

2020 Jamaican general election

Election in Jamaica

General elections were held in Jamaica on Thursday, 3 September 2020[1] to elect 63 members of Parliament. As the constitution stipulates a five-year parliamentary term,[2] the next elections were not expected until between 25 February and 10 June 2021. However, Prime Minister Andrew Holness called early elections to ensure a united response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On the advice of Holness, Governor General Patrick Allen dissolved Parliament on 13 August 2020.[3]

Quick Facts All 63 seats in the House of Representatives 32 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...

The result was a landslide victory for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party,[4] which received 57% of the vote and won 49 seats; the People's National Party remained the opposition party, losing 16 seats.[5] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019–2020 dengue fever epidemic, voter turnout was only 38%,[6] the lowest in an election since 1983.[7]

Background

Prior to the election, the Jamaica Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, formed a majority government. The largest opposition party was the People's National Party, led by Peter Phillips. Either the Jamaica Labour Party or the People's National Party have been in power since universal suffrage was introduced in 1944.[8]

Electoral system

The 63 members of the House of Representatives are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting.[9] Voters must be 18 years and over and be a citizen of Jamaica or a Commonwealth citizen.[10]

The leader of the party commanding a majority of support in the House of Representatives is called on by the Governor General to form a government as Prime Minister,[11] while the leader of the largest group or coalition not in government becomes the Leader of the Opposition.[12]

Campaign

Only two parties registered to contest the election, the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party, and each nominated candidates in all 63 constituencies. The two parties agreed to participate in three televised debates hosted by the Jamaica Debates Commission.[13]

The People's National Party campaigned for a referendum on removing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.[14]

On 15 August 2020, the pastors of the Christian right Jamaica Progressive Party announced that the party would not contest the elections due to lack of time to prepare.[15]

Contesting parties

More information Party, Position ...

Slogans and songs

More information Party, Slogan ...

Incumbent MPs not seeking re-election

Seven members of parliament did not stand for re-election:[28]

More information Retiring incumbent, Electoral District ...

Candidates

Candidate nominations were finalised on nomination day, 18 August 2020.[1] The full candidate list is presented below,[36] along with the incumbent candidates before the election.[37] MPs who are not standing for re-election are marked (†). Government ministers are in bold,[38] and party leaders are in italics.

Clarendon Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Hanover Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Kingston Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Manchester Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Portland Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Saint Andrew Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Saint Ann Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Saint Catherine Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Saint Elizabeth Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Saint James Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Saint Mary Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Saint Thomas Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Trelawny Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...

Westmoreland Parish

More information Electoral District, Candidates ...
  1. [b 1]
    Foote is a JLP member contesting the election independently as the "Jamaica Abolitionist Movement".[40]
  2. [b 2]
    The initial count ended in a tie that was decided in favour of incumbent Luther Buchanan. However, Daniel Lawrence was declared the winner after a recount.[41]

Marginal seats

The following lists identify and rank seats using the vote margin by which the party's candidate finished behind the winning candidate in the 2015 election. This vote margin is given as a percentage of all eligible voters in the district.

For information purposes only, seats that have changed hands through subsequent by elections have been noted. Seats whose members have changed party allegiance are ignored.

More information Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), People's National Party (PNP) ...
  1. [a 1]
    Later gained by the JLP in a by-election on October 30, 2017, by a margin of 36.26% over the PNP.
  2. [a 2]
    Later gained by the JLP in a by-election on April 4, 2019, by a margin of 1.62% over the PNP.

Opinion polls

Don Anderson, CEO of Market Research Services Limited, Larren Peart, founder and CEO of Bluedot Data Intelligence Limited and Bill Johnson of Johnson's Survey Research Limited Inc have commissioned opinion polling for the general election regularly sampling the electorates' opinions.

More information Date, Pollster ...

CEAC Solutions polling

These polls are used internally by the PNP.[55]

More information Date, Pollster ...

Results

The ECJ reported that 97% of the polling stations had opened by 7:00 AM, and the remaining stations were open by 8:00 AM.[57] The polls closed at 5:00 PM.[58] Election observers included the EU delegation to Jamaica [59] and a domestic NGO, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE).[60]

Before 10:00 PM, preliminary results indicated that the JLP had won 44 seats; for the first time since 1967, the JLP was re-elected while contesting all seats.[61] PNP leader Phillips did not give a concession speech, but called Holness privately to offer congratulations.[62] Phillips resigned as PNP leader on 4 September 2020.[63] The full preliminary count indicated a total of 49 seats for the JLP.[64] A tie in Westmoreland Eastern was declared to be won by the JLP after a recount.[41]

PM Holness was sworn in for a new term by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen on 7 September 2020. The ceremony, which was held at King's House, was restricted to 32 people to comply with public health measures.[65]

More information Party, Votes ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Jamaica Votes In General Election On September 3, 2020" (Archived 12 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine). Jamaica Gleaner, 11 August 2020.
  2. [2]
    "The Legislature". Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  3. [3]
    "It's Sept 3". Jamaica Observer. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. [4]
    "Political Tsunami turns Jamaica green with massive JLP victory". Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  5. [5]
    "Jamaica's Ruling Party Claims Landslide Victory in Thursday's General Election". Voice of America. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.; Charles, Jacqueline (3 September 2020). "Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Jamaica Labor Party retain power in 'tsunami victory'". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.; "Jamaica election: Andrew Holness' JLP re-elected amid rise in Covid-19 cases". BBC News. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.; Chappell, Kate (3 September 2020). "Jamaica's ruling party claims re-election victory in landslide win". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  6. [6]
    "JLP Trounces PNP 49 to 14 Seats" (Archived 5 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine). The Gleaner, 3 September 2020.
  7. [7]
    "Jamaica Election Centre". www.caribbeanelections.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  8. [8]
    "Jamaica profile - Timeline". BBC World News. 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  9. [9]
    Electoral System Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine IPU
  10. [10]
    "Registration Procedures". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  11. [11]
    "The Executive". Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  12. [12]
    "The Opposition". Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  13. [13]
    black|PNP, JLP agree to political debates ahead of next general elections Archived 13 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine Jamaica Observer, 18 October 2019
  14. [14]
    "PNP vows to hold referendum on whether to remove Queen if elected". Jamaica Gleaner. 8 August 2020. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020..
  15. [15]
    "Jamaica's political party 'of pastors' backs out of election race". Loop Jamaica. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  16. [16]
    King, Cheryl L. A. (2003). Wipf and Stock Publishers (ed.). Michael Manley and Democratic Socialism: Political Leadership and Ideology in Jamaica. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 1. ISBN 9781592442348. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  17. [17]
    Monteith, Kathleen E. A.; Richards, Glen (2001). University of the West Indies Press (ed.). Jamaica in Slavery and Freedom: History, Heritage and Culture. University of the West Indies Press. pp. 365–366. ISBN 9789766401085. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  18. [18]
    Austin, Diane J. (1987). Taylor & Francis (ed.). Urban Life in Kingston, Jamaica: The Culture and Class Ideology of Two Neighborhoods. Taylor & Francis. p. 13. ISBN 9782881240065. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  19. [19]
    Davidson, Vernon (29 March 2015). "Holness outlines the JLP's philosophy". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  20. [20]
    "Jamaica country profile". BBC. 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  21. [21]
    Thomason, Ian (2009). Faber & Faber (ed.). The Dead Yard: Tales of Modern Jamaica. Faber & Faber. p. 68. ISBN 9780571252343. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  22. [22]
    Wallace, Elisabeth (1977). University of Toronto Press (ed.). The British Caribbean from the Decline of Colonialism to the End of Federation. University of Toronto Press. p. 41.
  23. [23]
    "PNP Manifesto 2016". Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  24. [24]
    Simpson, Lynford (17 August 2020). "JLP promises to 'build back stronger' if given a second term". Loop News Jamaica. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  25. [25]
    "#GreenLight". Twitter. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  26. [26]
    "Building Your Jamaica 🎼 🇯🇲 Bet you Neva know say a PNP Build that!". People's National Party on Twitter. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  27. [27]
    Building Your Jamaica: #VotePNP2020, archived from the original on 8 September 2020, retrieved 26 May 2021
  28. [28]
    "#JaVotes2020 | Seven MPs not seeking re-election". Jamaica Gleaner. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  29. [29]
    "'Chairman for Life' Bobby Pickersgill quitting the top PNP position". Loop Jamaica. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  30. [30]
    "Tensions Rising over PNP Succession in NE St Elizabeth". Nationwide 90FM. 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  31. [31]
    "Kellier to step away from politics - South St James MP plans to complete term while grooming successor". Jamaica Gleaner. 29 May 2018. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  32. [32]
    "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  33. [33]
    "Newcomer keen to widen gap on JLP in Clarendon SW". Jamaica Gleaner. 11 August 2020. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  34. [34]
    "Labour Minister Shahine Robinson has died". Loop Jamaica. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  35. [35]
    Mills, Horace (26 June 2020). "MP confirms he is not seeking re-election". Jamaica Beacon. Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  36. [36]
    "Constituencies". jamaica-elections.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  37. [37]
    "Members of Parliament". Parliament of Jamaica. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  38. [38]
    "Members of the Cabinet – Office of the Prime Minister". Office of the Prime Minister. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  39. [39]
    "MP George Wright resigns from JLP | Loop Jamaica". Loop News. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  40. [40]
    "Don Foote steps into fray in Westmoreland Central". Jamaica Gleaner. 15 August 2020. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  41. [41]
    Ferguson, Albert (16 September 2020). "'I Will Deliver' - Lawrence Pledges Transformation After Winning See-Saw Westmoreland Eastern Recount". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  42. [42]
    "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  43. [43]
    "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  44. [44]
    Hughes, Cliff (10 August 2020). "NNN/Bluedot Poll: JLP Leads PNP by 18%". Nationwide 90FM. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  45. [45]
    "Poll shows JLP lead increasing over PNP". McKoysNews. 20 August 2020. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  46. [46]
    "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  47. [47]
    "PNP Trails JLP by 19% in Voter Standings - Bill Johnson Poll". Nationwide 90FM. 16 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  48. [48]
    "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  49. [49]
    "Poll Shows Gap Narrowing Between PNP And JLP". www.radiojamaicanewsonline.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  50. [50]
    "JLP has 12 point lead over PNP - Nationwide Bluedot Poll". jamaicatimesja.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  51. [51]
    Brooks, Dennis (7 August 2019). "Don Anderson Poll Shows Bunting 18 Points Ahead of Phillips". Nationwide 90FM. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  52. [52]
    Brooks, Dennis (7 August 2019). "Bill Johnson Poll Shows Holness/Phillips In Statistical Dead Heat". Nationwide 90FM. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  53. [53]
    "PNP under water - Opposition party trailing JLP in polls; critics say party, Phillips in bad shape". jamaica-gleaner.com. 28 March 2019. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  54. [54]
    "JLP Seven Points Ahead Of PNP In National Poll". www.radiojamaicanewsonline.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  55. [55]
    Campbell, Chevon (31 August 2020). "PNP Internal Poll Puts Party Slightly Ahead of JLP to Win Thursday's Election". Nationwide 90FM. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  56. [56]
    Campbell, Chevon (31 August 2020). "PNP Internal Poll Puts Party Slightly Ahead of JLP to Win Thursday's Election". Nationwide 90FM. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  57. [57]
    "97% of polling stations opened on time – EOJ". Jamaica Observer. 3 September 2020.[permanent dead link]
  58. [58]
    "Polls Have Closed ...Now For The Counting". Jamaica Gleaner. 3 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  59. [59]
    Wilson-Harris, Nadine (4 September 2020). "EU ambassador gives vote of confidence to election". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  60. [60]
    "Election was free, fair – CAFFE". Jamaica Observer. 7 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  61. [61]
    "JLP wins second term". Jamaica Gleaner. 3 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  62. [62]
    Hall, Arthur (4 September 2020). "PNP hurt by JLP strapping". Jamaica Observer.[permanent dead link]
  63. [63]
    "Watch: Peter Phillips steps down". Loop News Jamaica. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  64. [64]
    "Holness to be sworn in tomorrow". Jamaica Gleaner. 6 September 2020. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  65. [65]
    "Watch: Holness sworn in as prime minister for a third time". Loop News Jamaica. 7 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2020_Jamaican_general_election, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.