PM: Vacant Seats to Be Filled as Quickly as Possible

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (centre) flanked by JLP candidate for North East St. Ann, Matthew Samuda (left) and Member of Parliament for St Mary Western, Robert Montague (right) during Nomination Day activities in North East St Ann on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is again seeking to reassure Jamaicans that by-elections for constituencies or divisions still without political representation will soon be held.

This, amid mounting criticisms about the hasty announcement of a by-election in North East St Ann.

The prime minister was addressing labourites in the constituency on Wednesday, following the nomination of Matthew Samuda.

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness.

The constituency of South Trelawny has been vacant since September 21 last year, following the resignation of the Jamaica Labour Party’s, JLP, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert as member of parliament.

In St Thomas, the Morant Bay division has been without a councillor since the passing of the People’s National Party’s Rohan Bryan in May this year.

The Aenon Town division in North Clarendon is in a similar position, following the recent passing of JLP councillor Marjorie McLeod-McFarlane.

And in North West St. Andrew, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke is expected to vacate the seat at the end of October to take up an appointment at the International Monetary Fund.