Councillors Gregory Harris and Anthony Murray will be duly installed at the next sitting of the St. James Municipal Corporation.
The St. James Municipal Corporation says the two councillors who were prevented from taking office at the first sitting of the Council on Thursday will be duly installed at the next sitting, using the prescribed format for affirmation.
In a statement, Chairman of the Corporation and Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon said research by Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Naudia Crosskill, and communication with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development revealed that Section 6 of the Oaths Act, 1973 allows for affirmation in cases where individuals opt not to swear.
Concerns were raised after Councillors Anthony Murray of the Rose Hall Division and Gregory Harris of the Salt Spring Division were not allowed to take their seats after they chose to affirm rather than swear, in taking the oath of office.
The corporation based the decision on the Local Governance Act, 2016.
Mr. Vernon had told Radio Jamaica News that clarification would be sought on the matter.
Constitutional law expert Dr. Lloyd Barnett also addressed the matter on Thursday, noting that the Oaths Act as well as the Interpretation Act allow for affirmation to be used in the case where an elected official objects to taking an oath due to religious reasons.
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