In another attempt to express its disconnect at the postponement of the local government elections, the People’s National Party (PNP) staged a protest at Cross Roads, St Andrew, on Monday, calling out the Government on its decision.

Additionally, the PNP used the opportunity to highlight a slew of other concerns, including the Road Traffic Act, which took effect last month, and the approval for Canadian cannabis to be imported to Jamaica.

According to Opposition Leader Mark Golding, the democracy of the country is being undermined by the Government due to its decision to push back the local government elections.

“The Government has passed laws three years in a row to defer that and the result is that people who want to retire as councillors can’t retire and get a pension. They are about 15 different parish council divisions which do not have a council because the councillors died or have migrated or have been elected to the House of Representatives, so the whole system is being undermined,” Golding told the Jamaica Observer.

Pointing to the other issues, he said, “There is the way in which the Road Traffic Act was implemented, which was very untidy and has been very oppressive for certain groups. There is the whole question of the commercial quantities of ganja from Canada being brought into Jamaica, which is going to undermine our local industry, which is relatively small and relatively young, and they cannot face that kind of regulatory manipulation.”

On a similar note, Opposition spokesman on finance Julian Robinson stressed that postponing the local polls is an “affront to democracy”.

“In an environment where the Government is boasting of surplus revenues they are using that as an excuse not to hold the election. We believe the fundamental principle of democracy is that people must be given the opportunity to express their views through the ballot, and there is no valid reason why local government elections have been put off,” he told the Observer.

From as early as 8:00 am PNP supporters were seen at Cross Roads displaying placards reading, “Poor people suffering”, “Dem too lie”, “We need the local government elections”.

One supporter, Donna Thomas, said necessities are unaffordable under the Andrew Holness Administration.

“Under his Government we cannot buy anything. I come out here to demonstrate, to tell Andrew Holness to go,” said Thomas.

A similar view was expressed by another woman who gave her name as Ann Marie.

” I am tired of this Government. I can’t make a living and I can’t send my children to school. The prime minister has to go, he is not for poor people, he is for rich people,” she said.

Another supporter, Gary Burton, said the PNP has to put out more effort to appeal to more Jamaicans.

“As far as I see it, we have some more work to be done. As soon as time goes by, I think the people will realise that this Government is putting out less than what is expected. We have to go about now and motivate people who are actually undecided,” said Burton.

While one supporter, who gave her name as Suzie, said briefly, “We are tired of the Government. Andrew must go.”

This third postponement since 2021 — when the elections were originally due — came a week before the expiration of its second extension on February 28.