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Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie and Opposition Leader Mark Golding
By Lorraine Mendez
Jamaicans are now expected to choose their local government representatives on February 28, 2024.
That is, barring any major event that could again lead to a further postponement of the local government elections.
The elections were postponed for a third time Tuesday afternoon when the House of Representatives approved the Representation of the People (Postponement of Elections to Municipal Corporations and City Municipalities) Act, 2023.
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, in piloting the bill, explained that the postponement was being sought for three reasons, the first of which was to allow further time for continued public consultation on draft legislation to enable Portmore to become Jamaica's 15th parish.
But it was the second and third reasons that drew the ire of the opposition. Minister McKenzie cited the high level of uncertainty in the global economic environment and the prohibitive cost of holding the elections.
Where global economic uncertainty is concerned, Mr. McKenzie suggested that having an election at this time would "carry a significant risk".
While he accepted that the local government polls are important, the minister said the government is "seeking a little more time to ensure that the significant expenditure that elections require will be effectively managed alongside other priorities in the economy".
In response to the government's reasons for seeking to postpone the elections, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed to an announcement from Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke that revenue for the current fiscal year was $80 billion more than had been projected.
He questioned why, with those revenues as well as revenues projected for the upcoming fiscal year, the government would not be able to "use $1.3 billion of that to make the people decide who their local representatives should be".
Mr. Golding chided the government, calling the situation "a disgrace". He said the opposition would not support the move.
However, the government used its majority to push the legislation through the House of Representatives, despite opposition Members of Parliament voting against the bill.
Opposition members walked out of the chamber after the Speaker announced that the bill was passed with a 29-8 majority.
Local government elections were last held in 2016.
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