KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) says the proposed parish boundary for the town of Portmore, in the central parish of St Catherine, may breach a provision in the Jamaican Constitution.
The ECJ outlined its concerns in a letter to Parliament as the Senate on Friday voted to pass the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act 2025, granting the municipality parish status.
All 10 government senators present voted yes, and all four from the main Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) voted no.
The ECJ’s letter noted that the proposed Portmore parish boundaries may negatively affect the boundaries of a constituency as stated in the Second Schedule of the Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council 1962.
The letter also cited the section that states that “the boundary of a constituency shall not cross the boundary of a parish as delimited by the Counties and Parishes Act or by any law amending or replacing that law.”
The ECJ also indicated that the proposed boundary for the parish of Portmore would affect four constituencies, 13 electoral divisions, and 398 polling divisions from the parish of St Catherine.
The Portmore parish issue has been highly divisive, with the governing Jamaica Labour Party insisting that the move reflects residents’ wishes in the city municipality.
However, the PNP has argued that the process is problematic and alleges that it amounts to “gerrymandering” to secure political benefits for the JLP.
The PNP has pledged to repeal the legislation if it forms the next government.
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