| Parliament name |
Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name |
House of Representatives |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senate
|
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
25 February 2016 |
| Purpose of elections |
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), led by former Prime Minister Andrew Holness, regained power after four years in opposition, winning the smallest majority in Jamaica's history. After a recount of the vote, the JLP took 32 seats in the 63-member House of Representatives, one more than outgoing Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's People's National Party (PNP). On 3 March, Mr. Holness was sworn in as the new Prime Minister.
Ms. Simpson Miller had implemented an austerity plan as part of a $1.27 billion IMF bailout agreement during her time as the country's first woman Prime Minister. Inflation hit a 48-year low during her tenure. During the election campaign, the PNP ran on the government's record, pledging to continue to work for security, progress and development for all. The JLP announced a 10-point plan, focusing on economic growth, job creation and tax reforms.
|
Date of previous elections: 29 December 2011
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 5 February 2016
Timing of election: Early elections
Expected date of next elections: February 2021
Number of seats at stake: 63 (full renewal)
Number of candidates: 152 (126 men, 26 women)
Percentage of women candidates: 17.1%
Number of parties contesting the election: 6
Number of parties winning seats: 2
Alternation of power: Yes
Number of parties in government: 1
Names of parties in government: Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)
Date of the first session of the new parliament: 10 March 2016
Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Pearnel Charles (Jamaica Labour Party, JLP) |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 25 February 2016 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
1'824'410
|
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% |
|
|
| Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| People's National Party (PNP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total
|
|
|
|
|
| Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) |
32
|
|
|
|
|
| People's National Party (PNP) |
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
52
11
17.46%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
House of Representatives (03.03.2016)
http://www.ecj.com.jm/news-item-156.htm
http://www.ecj.com.jm/content-57-148.htm
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/ |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
