PM says More By-Elections Coming After Announcing NE St Ann Date

Prime Minister Andrew Holness speaking during Wednesday’s (September 4) post-cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. (Donald De La Haye/JIS)

A by-election has been announced for the constituency of North East St. Ann on September 30 this year.

Nomination Day is scheduled for September 11.

The announcement sends a strong signal that Prime Minister Andrew Holness is readying the ruling Jamaica Labour Party for general elections, due by October next year.

Daina Davy reports.

It was announced on Tuesday that embattled MP for North East St. Ann, Marsha Smith, had resigned from the office with immediate effect.

Government Senator and cabinet minister, Matthew Samuda, who has been doing the political work for the JLP in the constituency, is set to be the JLP’s candidate come Nomination Day.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement earlier on Wednesday at the post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House.

The prime minister says Matthew Samuda has already resigned from the senate and as minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness says Marsha Smith will be assigned new duties.

Prime Minister Holness has not committed to firm timelines for by-elections in two other constituencies.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking with the media at Wednesday’s post-cabinet press briefing.
By-elections are expected in South Trelawny and North West St. Andrew.

On September 21 last year, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert resigned as Member of Parliament for South Trelawny following a damning report published by the Integrity Commission.

The report accused her of failing to disclose the purchase of a motor vehicle in her statutory declarations for the period 2015 to 2021.

And in North West St. Andrew, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke is expected to vacate the seat at the end of October.

Duane Smith is expected to be the JLP’s standard bearer in that constituency.