KINGSTON, Jamaica — Of the 425 respondents to a recent OBSERVER ONLINE poll, 71 per cent say Prime Minister Andrew Holness led administration should not call a general election in light of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) vote to end the states of public emergency (SOE) across the island.

The Opposition members of Parliament on December 11 voted to end the anti-crime measure in St James, St Catherine North, and sections of Kingston and St Andrew, while contending that their vote against the SOE does not mean the security forces have to be removed from these areas.

The ruling Jamaica Labour Party has a 33-30 majority in the Lower House and an extension of the SOE must be approved by both Houses of Parliament by resolution supported by a two thirds majority of all members of each House.

Twenty-nine per cent or 125 of the respondents are in favour of Holness calling a snap election.

The position taken by the PNP will result in the anti-crime measure coming to a halt on January 2 in St Catherine North, January 7 in sections of the Corporate Area, and January 31 in St James.