KINGSTON, Jamaica— Though the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has declared the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as the holder of majority of the seats in municipalities following the local government election, the People’s National Party (PNP) is insisting that it was victorious.

In a release on Friday, the party said that it had “undisputed success” after “securing victories in seven municipalities across Jamaica.”

This however, contradicts the EOJ’s announcement earlier that PNP candidates won the majority of seats in five parishes, while the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidates won the majority of the seats in seven parishes.

The PNP in proclaiming its victory highlighted their success in the Portmore municipality and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), in addition to other parishes.

“Local governance in the country is structured around fourteen (14) local authorities, comprising one city municipality in Portmore with a directly elected mayor and 13 municipal corporations. In a noteworthy achievement, the PNP secured victories in seven (7) crucial local authorities, including the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), where a PNP councillor will now assume the role of mayor,” the release said.

“Additionally, the City Municipality of Portmore, the only directly-voting Mayorship in Jamaica saw the return of a PNP mayor, while the party also secured mayoral positions in St Catherine, Manchester, Westmoreland, Hanover and St Mary. This triumph underscores the PNP’s commitment to effective local governance and community empowerment,” the PNP added.

The party further declared its victory stating that it won more divisions across Jamaica securing 115 out of 228, up from the 98 they garnered in 2016.

To further cement its claim of victory, Dr Dayton Campbell, the party’s general secretary stated, “Yes, PNP won the election! The time has come for a brief celebration and for us to quickly return our focus to serving the people of Jamaica.”