Montego Bay Chamber wants Government to rethink local government election postponement
ST JAMES, Jamaica – The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling on the Government to reconsider its decision to postpone the local government election for the fourth time since it was last held in 2016 noting that such a move is unacceptable.
“The chamber notes that there are local representatives who are not working, according to the people they represent, and there are divisions without sound representation; plus there are instances where the people are just not happy with the current level of representation. The chamber also is insisting that the Government should not postpone the right of the citizens to choose local representatives who they feel comfortable representing them as well as working for them in providing the basic necessities of life,” stated director of the chamber, Paulette Neil.
Neil was addressing a press conference called by the chamber at its Freeport office last Thursday.
Following three postponements in the past, the elections were supposed to be held last month. However, it was pushed back for a further 12 months and is to be held no later than February 28, 2024.
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Desmond McKenzie explained to the House of Representatives on February 21 that economic considerations had formed part of the decision.
“The Government is sharply focused on two main things: one – building national resilience against any further economic shocks, whether manmade or natural disaster; and two – the expansion and maintenance of strong economic growth that all our citizens can feel and see at a personal level,” the minister stated.
“It is carefully considered, the position of the Government, that the holding of the municipal elections at this time will carry a significant risk diverting the country from these two vital tasks that are fully accepted,” McKenzie added.
However, Neil argued that the chamber strongly supports the need for local representation and as such, it finds the reasons given, “especially where the recovery of the economy is concerned, as spurious.”
“Furthermore, the chamber supports the call for fixed election dates for both the local and central government elections which would save the country some money and which is likely to encourage a higher voter turnout,” stated Neil.