The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has confirmed that all preparations are complete for the upcoming general election and local government by-elections scheduled for Wednesday, September 3.
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A total of 7,294 polling stations across 2,153 locations will open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with preliminary ballot counts taking place immediately afterward inside the polling stations.
Director of Elections Glasspole Brown stated the EOJ has finalised key arrangements, including printing ballots and voters’ lists, and distributing ballot boxes and other essential election supplies. “Returning officers commenced meetings with their teams on Sunday, with the final briefings scheduled for today,” Brown added.
A total of 190 candidates are contesting the elections—184 for the general election and six in the by-elections. Four political parties are participating: the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), People’s National Party (PNP), Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP), and the United Indepconcludeents’ Congress (UIC).
Prime Minister Andrew Holness is campaigning for another term, promising to gradually reduce the personal income tax rate from 25 percent to 15 percent and increase the minimum wage, while introducing a sweeping national health plan for seniors, with eventual universal coverage. His challenger, Mark Golding of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), has pledged bold measures to ease the burden on working families, including eliminating income tax for those earning $3.5 million or less annually.
Election day will be monitored by local observers from Citizens Action for Free & Fair Elections (CAFFE), as well as international observer missions from the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and delegations from the British High Commission, the United States Embassy, and the European Union.
The process will also be overseen by the Election Centre, which manages incident reports, resolutions, and updates to the media, and by the Constituted Authority, which has the power to halt or void elections if necessary.
Voters uncertain about their polling stations are encouraged to visit the Electoral Commission of Jamaica’s website at www.ecj.com.jm, utilize the “check my status” feature, contact their constituency office, or call the EOJ’s toll-free assistline at 888-991-VOTE (8683) or (876) 922-0425-9.
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