Jamaica
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05
Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 2,950,210
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 10,991 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 1,824,410
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16
Jamaica has a two-party system, the major parties being the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party. Over 46 political parties have been formed since independence in August 1962.
Number of registered political parties-References:
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 7039 (2016)
Number of polling stations-References:
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 18
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 Plurality (FPTP)
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 Members of the House of Representatives are directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05
Jamaican general election, 2016
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 25 February 2016
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 63 seats in the House of Representatives of Parliament.
Number of elected candidates-References:
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 48%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05
870,663
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16 N/A
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-21 N/A
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 Electoral Commission of Jamaica
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 The mission of the Electoral Office of Jamaica is to so conduct national elections that no unfair advantage is given to any party or individual contesting the polls, ensuring that the objective of one man one vote is met under the six stated principles of Universal Adult Suffrage. These principles are:
The Vote is Universal
All citizens who meet the qualifications established by law have the right to vote.
The Vote is Free
The elector is entitled to vote free.
The Vote is Secret
The process guarantees not to publicize the preference or will of any elector.
The Vote is Direct
The citizen elects the Representative of his choice.
The Vote is Personal
The Elector shall attend in person at his/her designated polling station.
The Vote is Non-transferrable
The Elector cannot transfer to anyone his right to vote.
Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05
Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 The legislature
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 A national government department
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 For a specified number of years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 Head of State - Head of Government - Opposition - Other
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16
divided into fourteen parishes (Parishes have been a feature of local administration in Jamaica since the island was captured by the English in 1655. The number has varied over time and some no longer exist either been absorbed into or divided between neighbouring parishes.)
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16 constituencies are delimited for election purposes
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 "Equality" of population - Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 Legislature (1st chamber)
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16
independent candidates can compete in legislative elections
Candidate nomination-References:
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirement
- Period
- Method
- Application form
- Acceptance and notice
- Restriction/Prohibition on candidate registration
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 deposit of $Jam. 100 reimbursed if the candidate polls at least 1/8 of the total votes cast
Candidate registration deposit-References:
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
Uncontested Election -References:
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-10-10
The voters' list is printed every six months, May 31 and November 30 of each year
Preparation of the voters list-References:
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as making it obligatory for any person to be registered under this Act. Representation of the People Act, Art. 5(4)
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05
Men21%
Women79%
(2016)
Presiding officers-References:
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05 07:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.
Voting hours-References:
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-10-05
- Voters present Voters’ ID card and follow the instructions of the Presiding Officer.(Without Voters’ ID card, voters will still be allowed to vote once their name can be found on the Voters’ List, and the identity can be confirmed.)
- Once a ballot has been issued by the Presiding Officer, voters go behind the voting booth and CLEARLY mark an X for the candidate of the choice in the space provided. Pencil is provided in the voting booth. (Fold the ballot twice, as instructed by the Presiding Officer, to protect the secrecy of your vote, leaving the flap out)
- Give the folded ballot to the Presiding Officer so that he or she can detach the flap.
- Dip the right index finger (pointer finger) in the integrity ink and WATCH while the unopened ballot is put in the ballot box.
- Once ballot paper is being placed into the ballot box, voting process is now complete
Voting Procedures -References:
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 The polling stations
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start of counting
- Process of counting
- End of counting
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 By request
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25 Outside the country voting is not permitted
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16 N/A
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16 Judiciary
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16 If within four days after the day on which the returning officer has declared a candidate elected it ismade to appear, on the affidavit of a credible witness, to the Resident Magistrate hereafter described, that a returning officer in counting the votes has improperly counted or improperly rejected any ballot papers or has made an incorrect addition of the number of ballots cast for any candidate, and if the applicant deposits within the said period with the clerk of the Court of such Resident Magistrate the sum of forty dollars as security for the costs of thecandidate declared elected, the Resident Magistrate shall appoint a time within four days after the receipt of the affidavit to recount the said votes.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, eligibility criteria for direct public funding
- If so, how this fund will be allocated
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25 Loss of nomination of candidate - Loss of political rights - Other
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-10-25
N/A
Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07
**provides individual online voter registration/polling assignment checks (confirmation of registration using online interface/ assigned polling station using online interface)
**publishes the statistical overview of voter lists online at the constituency level
**If the country publishes the election (voting) results online, what is the level of aggregation?
**publishes full details (total votes cast, votes cast for each candidate/party, invalid votes) online
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16
Gender Data:
· Female Population: 1,489,200 (2015 est.)
· Is Jamaica a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)
· Has Jamaica ratified CEDAW: Yes (19 October 1984)
· Gender Quota: No
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 14 (16.67%)
· Human Development Index Position: 99 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Medium (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16
Disability Data:
· Is Jamaica a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
· Has Jamaica ratified CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
· Population with a disability: 163,206 (2001)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 Continuously
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 conducted by the National Electoral Management Body - conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07
The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS/EOM) to the February 25 General Parliamentary Elections in Jamaica highlighted good practices and formulated recommendations to further assist the country in its efforts to continue strengthening its electoral process. (2016)
International observation-References:
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-12-07
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) provided technical assistance to the Jamaican civic organization Citizen Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) to support its domestic election monitoring efforts in the 2002 General Elections. Concerns voiced by Jamaicans before the elections were the prospects
for politically motivated violence, widespread lack of participation and that because the election would be so close, a small number of irregularities could affect the results of the elections.
International Activities-References:
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03