One of the government’s representatives on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has disclosed that local government elections due this year could be hampered by the work now being done by the commission.

Local government elections are constitutionally due by the end of this month, but the law makes provision for the staging of the polls up to three months after this date.

The ECJ has recommended changes to the boundaries of some constituencies and their polling divisions.

Yesterday, Karl Samuda told Parliament that the recommendations put forward are yet to be finalised and this could pose a challenge to the staging of the local government polls.

Parliamentarians raised concern about the length of time being taken by the ECJ, to complete the adjustments.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr Peter Phillips said that while he understands that the ECJ has to conduct due diligence, efforts must be made to expedite the process.

Meanwhile, Leader of Government Business in the House, Andrew Holness, says an announcement regarding local government elections will be made shortly.

In the meantime, the leader of Government Business in the House, Andrew Holness disclosed that the number of constituencies in Kingston and St Andrew may be reduced in light of the changes to the number of eligible voters.
There are 15 constituencies in the Corporate Area.

Concerns were raised last year that the electoral commission could do away with the Central Kingston constituency, which is represented by the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Ronnie Thwaites.

This led several residents to mount a demonstration in the constituency to signal their disapproval of any such intention on the part of the ECJ.

Mr Holness also said the North West St Andrew constituency held by Derrick Smith is being adjusted as the number of voters there violates the maximum allowed by the law.

He also says constituencies in Trelawny may soon come up for re-alignment if demographic trends continue.