PNP Accuses Gov’t of Attempting to Marginalise the ECJ in Portmore Parish Process

Opposition spokesman on citizen security, Senator Peter Bunting, is accusing the government of attempting to marginalise the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, ECJ, by manipulating parish boundaries.

Mahiri Stewart reports.

Last week, Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown, said the final parish boundaries for Portmore will be decided by the independent members of the ECJ.

It follows the passing of a bill last Tuesday by the government, which aims to turn Portmore into the country’s 15th parish.

The bill was passed with 28 government members of parliament, MPs, voting in favour while 10 opposition MPs voted no. It has now moved to the senate.

But Opposition Senator Peter Bunting says the bill is a desperate ploy by the Holness Administration to secure a third term in office.

According to Senator Bunting, the Jamaica Labour Party is aiming to cut off People’s National Party voters from East Central St. Catherine. He says the move will also reverse the inclusion of constituents in the electoral process.

Senator Bunting says the ECJ may be sidelined by future administrations if parish boundaries are manipulated.