Bill Passed to Postpone Local Gov’t Elections

After the Local Government Elections were postponed last year, stipulations were that it be held no later than February 27, 2022. However, that is again up for postponement as the Lower House passes the bill to amend the Representation of Peoples Act (ROPA) thus pushing for the elections no later than February 2023.  

In November 2020, the decision was made to push back the elections due to the battering the nation took as a result of COVID -19, among other issues. 

Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond Mckenzie tabled the Amendment Bill for similar reasons. He says hosting the elections this year would be irresponsible as the omicron variant poses a threat for Jamaicans. 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness hinted at the postponement at the JLP conference in November last year, as he said the government isn’t focused on local government elections, but more so on tackling crime. 

More details in the report below:

Reporter: Velonique Bowen.