James Robertson wins election in St. Thomas Western

James Robertson of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been confirmed as winner of the election for the St. Thomas Western seat in the Jamaican Parliament.

In the official count, completed late Monday evening at the headquarters of the Electoral Office of Jamaica in downtown Kingston, Mr. Robertson , MP for the constituency since 2002, reportedly came out ahead of Marsha Francis of the People’s National  Party (PNP) by 362 votes.

On Election Night, last Thursday, Mr. Robertson was declared the winner.

The count in St. Thomas Western took on greater national significance on the weekend, after the PNP picked up another seat – St. Mary South Eastern – on the official count of that constituency’s results, thereby narrowing the JLP’s victory margin in the general election to one seat: 32-31.

Failing to hold on to St. Thomas Western would have seen the JLP losing the national election.

With the official count now completed in all 63 constituencies, the way is clear for the result of the general election to be certified and for the Governor General to be notified. 

JLP attorney Tom Tavares Finson told RJR News late Monday that Andrew Holness is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister on Thursday.