Jamaica Labour Party won by a landslide
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won by a landslide victory over the People’s National Party (PNP) led by Peter Phillips in the recently concluded 18th parliamentary elections.
JLP won 49 of 63 seats, an addition of 16 seats, according to an early count released about 9pm local time (02:00 GMT) on Thursday by the Electoral Commission.
“There is cause for celebration, but there is also significant cause for consideration,” said Prime Minister Andrew Holness in a televised speech.
Holness promised to continue the good policies in order to keep Jamaica on the path to prosperity. He also said he will not stand for corruption in his government.
Thursday’s elections saw the lowest ever voter turnout in Jamaica at just 37 per cent. The JLP secured 57.1 per cent of the votes while the PNP got 42.8 per cent.
Jamaica’s election is the 7th election held in the Caribbean amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Women power
A record number of 18 women will be entering Gordon House when the parliament reconvenes.
The historic wins means that the Jamaican parliament will now be made of 27% women- the largest percentage of women to ever hold office.
Of the 18 women in the JLP that contested the election, 14 women won their seats, at a win rate of 77.8%. Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, Kerensia Morrison, Ann-Marie Vaz, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Marsha Smith, Fayval Williams and Juliet Cuthbert are just a few of the JLP women that led their opponents by thousands of votes.
Phillips steps down as PNP leader
Dr Peter Phillips has announced that he is stepping down as president of the People’s National Party (PNP).
“The results of the general election has not been favourable to the People’s National Party. As with all undertakings such as this, the ultimate responsibility must rest with the leader of the party. Accordingly, I consider it my duty to demit office as president of the party.”