ST JAMES, Jamaica — Two newly elected members of the St James Municipal Corporation were unable to participate in the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday due to their refusal to take the oath based on their religious beliefs.

Gregory Harris of the Salt Spring division and Anthony Murray of the Rose Hall division, both representing the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), were deemed ineligible to take their seats as they refused to swear and instead sought to take an oath of affirmation.

It was pointed out during the meeting that they had not fulfilled the stipulations under sections 29 and 30 (c) of the Local Governance Act.

The issue was raised by long-time councillor Charles Sinclair during the meeting, emphasising the legal obligation for councillors to be sworn in. Another councillor, Kerry Thomas of the Mount Salem Division, initially chose to affirm but later decided to swear at the urging of his fellow councillor and minority leader, Michael Troupe of the Granville division.

As a result, Harris and Murray, who were not considered sworn in, had to sit in the viewing gallery.

Eventually, they opted to leave the council room altogether.