2020 Jamaican general election

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2020 Jamaican general election
← 2016 3 September 2020 2025 →
All 63 seats in the Jamaica House of Representatives
32 seats needed for a majority
Turnout37.85% (Decrease 10.52pp)
  First party Second party
  Andrew Holness Press (cropped) 2.jpg Peter David Phillips (politician) (cropped).png
Leader Andrew Holness Peter Phillips
Party JLP PNP
Leader since 23 October 2011 3 April 2017
Leader's seat St Andrew West Central St Andrew East Central
Last election 32 seats, 50.1% 31 seats, 49.7%
Seats won 49 14
Seat change Increase 17 Decrease 17
Popular vote 408,376 305,950
Percentage 57.07% 42.76%
Swing Increase 6.99pp Decrease 6.95pp
Jamaica parliamentary election map 2020.svg
Map of result by constituency. All constituencies are numbered, with labels at the bottom.
Prime Minister before election

Andrew Holness
JLP

Prime Minister after election

Andrew Holness
JLP

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General elections were held in Jamaica on Thursday, 3 September 2020[1] to elect 63 members of Parliament. As the constitution stipulates a five-year parliamentary term,[2] the next elections were not expected until between 25 February and 10 June 2021. However, Prime Minister Andrew Holness called early elections to ensure a united response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On the advice of Holness, Governor General Patrick Allen dissolved Parliament on 13 August 2020.[3]

The result was a landslide victory for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party,[4] which received 57% of the vote and won 49 seats; the People's National Party remained the opposition party, losing 16 seats.[5] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019–2020 dengue fever epidemic, voter turnout was only 37%,[6] the lowest in an election since 1983.[7]

Background[]

Prior to the election, the Jamaica Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, formed a majority government. The largest opposition party was the People's National Party, led by Peter Phillips. Either the Jamaica Labour Party or the People's National Party have been in power since universal suffrage was introduced in 1944.[8]

Electoral system[]

The 63 members of the House of Representatives are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting.[9] Voters must be 18 years and over and be a citizen of Jamaica or a Commonwealth citizen.[10]

The leader of the party commanding a majority of support in the House of Representatives is called on by the Governor General to form a government as Prime Minister,[11] while the leader of the largest group or coalition not in government becomes the Leader of the Opposition.[12]

Campaign[]

Only two parties registered to contest the election, the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party, and each nominated candidates in all 63 constituencies. The two parties agreed to participate in three televised debates hosted by the Jamaica Debates Commission.[13]

The People's National Party campaigned for a referendum on removing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.[14]

On 15 August 2020, the pastors of the Christian right Jamaica Progressive Party announced that the party would not contest the elections due to lack of time to prepare.[15]

Contesting parties[]

Party Position Ideology Leader
(since) 		Last election At dissolution Contested
Jamaica Labour Party Centre-right Nationalism[16][17][18]
Fiscal conservatism[19]
Populism
Conservatism[20][21][22]
Republicanism
Fabianism (originally)[18] 		Andrew Holness
(January 2010)
32 / 63 (51%)
34 / 63 (54%)
 63
People's National Party Centre-left Social democracy
Democratic socialism
Populism
Republicanism[23] 		Peter Phillips
(November 2017)
31 / 63 (49%)
29 / 63 (46%)
 63

Slogans and songs[]

Party Slogan Official song
JLP "Build back stronger."[24]

#GreenLight[25]

PNP "Building your Jamaica."[26]

Building Your Jamaica: #VotePNP2020[27]

Incumbent MPs not seeking re-election[]

Seven members of parliament did not stand for re-election:[28]

Retiring incumbent Electoral District Term in office Reason Date announced Replaced as MP by
PNP Saint Catherine North Western 1989-2020 Not standing 22 August 2017[29]
PNP 2016–2020 Not standing 10 May 2018[30] Delroy Slowley
Derrick Kellier PNP Saint James Southern 1987–2020 Not standing 28 May 2018[31] Homer Davis
Ronald Thwaites PNP Kingston Central 1997–2020 Not standing 22 May 2019[32] Donovan Williams
PNP Clarendon South Western 2007–2020 Not standing 14 September 2019[33] Luthon Cousins
Shahine Robinson JLP 2001–2020 Died in office 29 May 2020[34] Marsha Smith
JLP Saint Catherine North Eastern 2016–2020 Not standing 26 June 2020[35] Kerensia Morrison

Candidates[]

Candidate nominations were finalised on nomination day, 18 August 2020.[1] The full candidate list is presented below,[36] along with the incumbent candidates before the election.[37] MPs who are not standing for re-election are marked (†). Government ministers are in bold,[38] and party leaders are in italics.

Clarendon Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP Other
Clarendon Central Michael Henry Zuleika Jess Michael Henry
Clarendon North Central Robert Nesta Morgan Desmond Brennan Pearnel Charles
Clarendon North Western Phillip Henriquez Richard Azan Merrick Cohen (Ind.) Richard Azan
Clarendon Northern Horace Dalley Horace Dalley
Clarendon South Eastern Pearnel Charles Jr Patricia Duncan Sutherland Pearnel Charles Jr
Clarendon South Western Kent Gammon Luthon Cousins † Noel Arscott

Hanover Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP
Hanover Eastern Wavell Hinds Dave Brown
Hanover Western Tamika Davis Ian Hayles Ian Hayles

Kingston Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP
Kingston Central Donovan Williams Imani Duncan-Price † Ronald Thwaites
Kingston East & Port Royal Egwugwu Priestly Phillip Paulwell Phillip Paulwell
Kingston Western Desmond McKenzie Joseph Witter Desmond McKenzie

Manchester Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP Other
Manchester Central Rhoda Moy Crawford Peter Bunting Rohan Chung (Ind.) Peter Bunting
Manchester North Eastern Audley Shaw Donald Jackson Audley Shaw
Manchester North Western Damion Young Mikael Phillips Mikael Phillips
Manchester Southern Michael Stewart Michael Stewart

Portland Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP
Portland Eastern Ann-Marie Vaz Bishop Purcell Jackson Ann-Marie Vaz
Portland Western Daryl Vaz Valerie Neita Robertson Daryl Vaz

Saint Andrew Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP
Saint Andrew East Central Jodian Myrie Peter Phillips Peter Phillips
Saint Andrew East Rural Juliet Holness Joan Gordon-Webley Juliet Holness
Saint Andrew Eastern Fayval Williams Venesha Phillips Fayval Williams
Saint Andrew North Central Karl Samuda O'Neil Lynch Karl Samuda
Saint Andrew North Eastern Delroy Chuck David Tulloch Delroy Chuck
Saint Andrew North Western Nigel Clarke Rohan Banks Nigel Clarke
Saint Andrew South Eastern Kari Douglas
Saint Andrew South Western Moureen Lorne Angela Brown-Burke Angela Brown-Burke
Saint Andrew Southern Victor Hyde Mark Golding Mark Golding
Saint Andrew West Central Andrew Holness Patrick Roberts Andrew Holness
Saint Andrew West Rural Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn Krystal Tomlinson Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn
Saint Andrew Western Dorlan Francis Anthony Hylton Anthony Hylton

Saint Ann Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP Other
Keith Brown Vacant
Dayton Campbell Peter Shand (Ind.) Dayton Campbell
Saint Ann South Eastern Delroy Granston Lisa Hanna Lisa Hanna
Zavia Mayne Valenton Wint Zavia Mayne

Saint Catherine Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP Other
Olivia Grange Maurice Westney Olivia Grange
Raymond Pryce
Dwight Pecoo Denise Daley Denise Daley
Natalie Campbell Rodriques Natalie Neita-Headley John Henry (Ind.)
Lloyd Smith (Ind.) 		Natalie Neita-Headley
Saint Catherine North Eastern Kerensia Morrison Oswest Senior-Smith † Leslie Campbell
Saint Catherine North Western Newton Amos Hugh Graham Gene Guthrie (Ind.) † Robert Pickersgill
Andrew Wheatley Kurt Matthews Andrew Wheatley
Robert Miller Colin Fagan Colin Fagan
Everald Warmington Kurt Waul Upton Blake (Ind.) Everald Warmington
Delroy Dobney Fitz Jackson Fitz Jackson
Saint Catherine West Central Christopher Tufton Kenyama Brown Christopher Tufton

Saint Elizabeth Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP
Delroy Slowley Basil White † Evon Redman
William J.C. Hutchinson Ryan Keating William J.C. Hutchinson
Floyd Green Ewan Stephenson Floyd Green
Franklyn Witter Dwaine Spencer Franklyn Witter

Saint James Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP Other
Saint James Central Heroy Clarke Andre Hylton Ras-Astor Black (Ind.) Heroy Clarke
Saint James East Central Edmund Bartlett Michael Hemmings Edmund Bartlett
Saint James North Western Horace Chang George Hamilton Horace Chang
Saint James Southern Homer Davis Walton Small † Derrick Kellier
Saint James West Central Marlene Malahoo Forte Andre Haughton Marlene Malahoo Forte

Saint Mary Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP
Lennon Richards Morais Guy Morais Guy
Norman Dunn Shane Alexis Norman Dunn
Robert Montague Jason Stanford Robert Montague

Saint Thomas Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP
Saint Thomas Eastern Michelle Charles Fenton Ferguson Fenton Ferguson
Saint Thomas Western James Robertson Marsha Francis James Robertson

Trelawny Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP Other
Trelawny Northern Tova Hamilton Victor Wright Jnr Genieve Dawkins (Ind.) Victor Wright
Trelawny Southern Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert Lloyd Gillings Richard Sharpe (Ind.) Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert

Westmoreland Parish[]

Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
JLP PNP Other
Westmoreland Central George Wright Dwayne Vaz Torraino Beckford (Ind.)
Don Foote (Ind.)[b 1] 		Dwayne Vaz
Westmoreland Eastern[b 2] Daniel Lawrence Luther Buchanan Haile Mika'el (Ind.) Luther Buchanan
Westmoreland Western Morland Wilson Wykeham McNeill Wykeham McNeill
  1. ^ Foote is a JLP member contesting the election independently as the "Jamaica Abolitionist Movement".[39]
  2. ^ The initial count ended in a tie that was decided in favour of incumbent Luther Buchanan. However, Daniel Lawrence was declared the winner after a recount.[40]

Marginal seats[]

The following lists identify and rank seats using the vote margin by which the party's candidate finished behind the winning candidate in the 2015 election. This vote margin is given as a percentage of all eligible voters in the district.

For information purposes only, seats that have changed hands through subsequent by elections have been noted. Seats whose members have changed party allegiance are ignored.

Marginal seats by party (with winning parties and margins from the 2016 Jamaican general election)
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) People's National Party (PNP)
Marginal
1 [a 1] 0.02% 1 Saint Catherine North Eastern 0.53%
2 Saint James Southern 0.24% 2 Saint Andrew Eastern 0.62%
3 1.18% 3 0.69%
4 Trelawny Northern 1.24% 4 Saint Thomas Western 1.08%
5 1.49% 5 1.34%
6 Westmoreland Central 2.70% 6 Hanover Eastern 1.44%
7 Saint Catherine North Western 3.05% 7 Saint Andrew East Rural 1.83%
8 Manchester Central 3.17% 8 1.97%
9 Clarendon Northern 3.21% 9 Clarendon North Central 2.42%
10 Clarendon North Western 3.57% 10 Clarendon South Eastern 2.44%
11 Manchester Southern 3.77% 11 4.34%
12 Westmoreland Western 4.49% 12 Saint James West Central 4.67%
13 4.59% 13 Saint Andrew West Rural 5.69%
14 4.79% 14 Manchester North Eastern 5.86%
15 Hanover Western 4.82% 15 6.81%
16 Saint Thomas Eastern 5.41% 16 Saint James Central 6.85%
17 Kingston Central 5.78% 17 Saint Andrew West Central 7.05%
18 Portland Eastern[a 2] 6.62% 18 Portland Western 7.14%
19 Clarendon South Western 6.67% 19 7.43%
20 Manchester North Western 6.75% 20 7.83%
21 7.10% 21 Saint James East Central 8.06%
22 7.12% 22 Saint Andrew North Western 8.47%
23 Saint Andrew East Central 7.44% 23 9.80%
24 7.61% 24 Trelawny Southern 10.70%
25 Saint Andrew South Eastern 9.78% 25 Saint James North Western 11.85%
26 Saint Andrew Western 10.43% 26 Saint Andrew North Eastern 12.05%
27 Westmoreland Eastern 10.52% 27 Saint Andrew North Central 12.39%
28 Saint Ann South Eastern 10.98% 28 Saint Catherine West Central 13.43%
29 Kingston East and Port Royal 25.20% 29 Clarendon Central 15.33%
30 Saint Andrew Southern 36.37% 30 20.47%
31 Saint Andrew South Western 40.79% 31 24.94%
Safe 32 Kingston Western 34.83%
Safe
Source: General Election 2016 - Electoral Commission of Jamaica
  1. ^ Later gained by the JLP in a by-election on October 30, 2017, by a margin of 36.26% over the PNP.
  2. ^ Later gained by the JLP in a by-election on April 4, 2019, by a margin of 1.62% over the PNP.

Opinion polls[]

Don Anderson, CEO of Market Research Services Limited, Larren Peart, founder and CEO of Bluedot Data Intelligence Limited and Bill Johnson of Johnson's Survey Research Limited Inc have commissioned opinion polling for the general election regularly sampling the electorates' opinions.

Date Pollster Sample
size 		JLP PNP Other Lead
3 September 2020 2020 general election – 57.1 42.8 0.1 14.3
21–24 August 2020 RJR Gleaner Group/Don Anderson poll[41] – 37 25 38 12
21–23 August 2020 Jamaica Observer/Bill Johnson poll[42] 1,000 37 23 40 14
20 July–6 August 2020 Nationwide News Network/Bluedot poll[43] – 52 34 14 18
23 July–3 August 2020 RJR Gleaner Group/Don Anderson poll[44] – 36 20 44 16
9–12 July 2020 Jamaica Observer/Bill Johnson poll[45] 1,200 36 17 47 19
13–20 June 2020 Mello TV/Bill Johnson poll[46] 1,200 38 19 43 19
12–15 March 2020 Jamaica Observer/Bill Johnson poll[47] 1,200 33 19 48 14
8–18 February 2020 RJR Gleaner Group/Don Anderson poll[48] 1,038 30 22 48 8
2–19 December 2019 Nationwide News Network/Bluedot poll[49] – 56 44 0 12
7 August 2019 Don Anderson poll[50] – 35 30 35 5
2–4 August 2019 One PNP/Bill Johnson poll[51] 1,000 34 32 34 2
28 March 2019 RJR Gleaner Group/Don Anderson poll[52] 1,003 29 18 53 11
12 March 2018 RJR Gleaner Group/Don Anderson poll[53] – 26 19 55 6
25 February 2016 2016 general election – 50.1 49.7 0.2 0.4

CEAC Solutions polling[]

These polls are used internally by the PNP.[54]

Date Pollster Sample
size 		JLP PNP Other Lead
3 September 2020 2020 general election – 57.1 42.8 0.1 14.3
28-29 August 2020 CEAC Solutions poll[55] 366 41 44 15 3
25 February 2016 2016 general election – 50.1 49.7 0.2 0.4

Results[]

The ECJ reported that 97% of the polling stations had opened by 7:00 AM, and the remaining stations were open by 8:00 AM.[56] The polls closed at 5:00 PM.[57] Election observers included the EU delegation to Jamaica [58] and a domestic NGO, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE).[59]

Before 10:00 PM, preliminary results indicated that the JLP had won 44 seats; for the first time since 1967, the JLP was re-elected while contesting all seats.[60] PNP leader Phillips did not give a concession speech, but called Holness privately to offer congratulations.[61] Phillips resigned as PNP leader on 4 September 2020.[62] The full preliminary count indicated a total of 49 seats for the JLP.[63] A tie in Westmoreland Eastern was declared to be won by the JLP after a recount.[40]

PM Holness was sworn in for a new term by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen on 7 September 2020. The ceremony, which was held at King's House, was restricted to 32 people to comply with public health measures.[64]

Jamaica House of Representatives 2020.svg
PartyVotes%+/–Seats+/–
Jamaica Labour Party408,37657.07+6.9949+17
People's National Party305,95042.76–6.9514–17
Independents1,1850.17+0.0300
Total715,511100.00–63–
Valid votes715,51198.78
Invalid/blank votes8,8061.22
Total votes724,317100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,913,41037.85
Source: Electoral Commission of Jamaica

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Jamaica Votes In General Election On September 3, 2020" (Archived 12 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine). Jamaica Gleaner, 11 August 2020.
  2. ^ "The Legislature". Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  3. ^ "It's Sept 3". Jamaica Observer. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Political Tsunami turns Jamaica green with massive JLP victory". Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Jamaica's Ruling Party Claims Landslide Victory in Thursday's General Election". Voice of America. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.; Charles, Jacqueline (3 September 2020). "Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Jamaica Labor Party retain power in 'tsunami victory'". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.; "Jamaica election: Andrew Holness' JLP re-elected amid rise in Covid-19 cases". BBC News. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.; Chappell, Kate (3 September 2020). "Jamaica's ruling party claims re-election victory in landslide win". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  6. ^ "JLP Trounces PNP 49 to 14 Seats" (Archived 5 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine). The Gleaner, 3 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Jamaica Election Centre". www.caribbeanelections.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Jamaica profile - Timeline". BBC World News. 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  9. ^ Electoral System Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine IPU
  10. ^ "Registration Procedures". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  11. ^ "The Executive". Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  12. ^ "The Opposition". Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  13. ^ black|PNP, JLP agree to political debates ahead of next general elections Archived 13 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine Jamaica Observer, 18 October 2019
  14. ^ "PNP vows to hold referendum on whether to remove Queen if elected". Jamaica Gleaner. 8 August 2020. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020..
  15. ^ "Jamaica's political party 'of pastors' backs out of election race". Loop Jamaica. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  16. ^ King, Cheryl L. A. (2003). Wipf and Stock Publishers (ed.). Michael Manley and Democratic Socialism: Political Leadership and Ideology in Jamaica. p. 1. ISBN 9781592442348. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  17. ^ Monteith, Kathleen E. A.; Richards, Glen (2001). University of the West Indies Press (ed.). Jamaica in Slavery and Freedom: History, Heritage and Culture. pp. 365–366. ISBN 9789766401085. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  18. ^ a b Austin, Diane J. (1987). Taylor & Francis (ed.). Urban Life in Kingston, Jamaica: The Culture and Class Ideology of Two Neighborhoods. p. 13. ISBN 9782881240065. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  19. ^ Davidson, Vernon (29 March 2015). "Holness outlines the JLP's philosophy". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Jamaica country profile". BBC. 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  21. ^ Thomason, Ian (2009). Faber & Faber (ed.). The Dead Yard: Tales of Modern Jamaica. p. 68. ISBN 9780571252343. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  22. ^ Wallace, Elisabeth (1977). University of Toronto Press (ed.). The British Caribbean from the Decline of Colonialism to the End of Federation. University of Toronto Press. p. 41.
  23. ^ "PNP Manifesto 2016". Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  24. ^ Simpson, Lynford (17 August 2020). "JLP promises to 'build back stronger' if given a second term". Loop News Jamaica. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  25. ^ "https://twitter.com/jlpjamaica/status/1293740827714490373". Twitter. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021. External link in |title= (help)
  26. ^ "Building Your Jamaica