Matthew Samuda is projected to win St. Ann North Eastern constituency By-Election

The Honourable Matthew Samuda, Minister in the Jamaica Labour Party, who replaced Member of Parliament Marsha Smith in the St. Ann North Eastern constituency, is anticipated to emerge victorious in today’s by-election.

Samuda, who serves as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Cabinet of Jamaica, was selected to represent the constituency after it was vacated by Marsha Smith who resigned. In September 2024, he succeeded Smith as the constituency chairman in Saint Ann North Eastern.

Out of the 43,827 registered voters in the St. Ann North Eastern constituency, as per the records of May 31, 2024, only 5,090 individuals participated in the voting process.

All boxes are counted and preliminary results are in. Voter turnout 11.6%. The final count begins tomorrow.

The low voter turnout could be attributed to various factors, including political apathy, dissatisfaction with the electoral process, or other socio-economic reasons that prevented voters from participating.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the People’s National Party (PNP) opted not to contest the election, which might have influenced the turnout and the overall election dynamics.

In a media statement dated Wednesday, September 4, the President of the People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding, announced that the party is preparing for the upcoming general elections, thereby allowing the populace to elect a new government. Consequently, the PNP will not be participating in by-elections at this advanced stage preceding the general elections.

President Golding also raised concerns regarding the timing of the by-election, highlighting that the government is currently in the fifth and final year of its term.

Statement By The President of The People’s National Party

Kingston, Jamaica, September 4, 2024 – The People’s National Party (PNP) notes the announcement this morning by the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, MP, for a by-election in the Constituency of North East St. Ann with Nomination Day on September 11 and election day, September 30.

It is striking and unprecedented that this by-election was announced less than 24 hours after the resignation of the Member of Parliament. It is also of some importance to note that the first notification to the Jamaican people about the resignation of a cabinet Minister and Senator, Mr. Matthew Samuda, is within the context of announcing a by-election.

The Prime Minister has clearly orchestrated the holding of this by-election which is a slap in the face of the electors of Southern Trelawny, who have had no parliamentary representative for a full year, a quarter of the life of this House of Representatives. It is also a slap in the face of the people of Morant Bay, whose right to elect a Councillor within 90 days of a vacancy was abridged by the Holness Administration using an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, a by-election which is legally due now.

The government is in the fifth and final year of its term of office. It is becoming increasingly unpopular, and recent events show that it is on the ropes. The People’s National Party is preparing for general elections to enable the people to vote in a new government, and will not be contesting by-elections at this late stage in the run-up to the general elections.

It is significant that parliament in 2016 legislated that there should be no by-elections for Municipal Corporations within a 12-month period leading up to local government elections. The Party will contest the local government by-elections which are due as required by law, as local government elections are not due for another three and a half years.

The People’s National Party remains steadfast in our mission to protect and strengthen Jamaica’s democracy. We will not enter any process that seeks to undermine the very principles we hold dearly. Instead, we will focus on ensuring that every Jamaican has a voice and that every constituency is treated with the fairness and respect it deserves.

The continued representation of the constituency by the Jamaica Labour Party signifies a sustained confidence in the Andrew Holness administration among the electorate. This electoral outcome may further strengthen the Jamaica Labour Party’s position and strategies in the region, potentially having a significant impact on future political and developmental plans.