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JAMAICA
House of Representatives

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Oversight and Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name Parliament
More photos  >>>
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate
Affiliation to the IPU No
Affiliation date(s) 1983 -1997
LEADERSHIP
President Pearnel Charles (M) 
Notes Elected on 10 March 2016.
Secretary General Heather E. Cooke (F) 
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 63 / 63
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


More statistics  >>>
Women (current number) 11 (17.46%)
Mode of designation directly elected 63
Term 5 years
Last renewal dates 25 February 2016
(View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address House of Representatives
Gordon House
81 Duke Street
P.O. Box 636 - KINGSTON
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (1 876) 922 0200
922 4567
Fax (1 876) 967 0064
967 17 08
E-mail clerk@japarliament.gov.jm
Website
http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 1 January 1900
Last amendment: 16/01/1989
Mode of designation directly elected 63
Constituencies 63 single-member constituencies.
Voting system Majority: Direct simple majority vote.
Vacancies are filled through by-elections.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: 18 years
- Jamaican or British Commonwealth citizenship
- residency in the country (during 12 months prior to the compilation of the register of electors for British Commonwealth citizens)
- disqualifications: insanity, death sentence, imprisonment for 6 months or more, conviction of electoral fraud, persons holding certain offices connected with the elections

CANDIDATES
Eligibility Qualified electors
- age: 21 years
- Jamaican or British Commonwealth citizenship
- residency in the country during 12 months immediately preceding the nomination
- ineligibility: allegiance to a foreign State, undischarged bankrupts
Incompatibilities - public officers
- judges of the highest court
- government contractors
- members of the defence force (unless exempted)
Candidacy requirements - nomination between 23 and 16 days before elections
- support of at least 10 qualifed electors
- deposit of $Jam.100 reimbursed if the candidate polls at least 1/8 of the total votes cast

LAST ELECTIONS

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
Timing and scope of renewal 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 125 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 % of votes
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)
People's National Party (PNP)
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
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/

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the House of Representatives
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
Appointment - elected by all the Members of the House who are present
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected House or when a vacancy occurs
- before Members are sworn in
Eligibility - any Member of the Chamber (except a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary) can be a candidate
- candidatures must be submitted by a third party who is himself a Member of the Chamber
- candidatures must be seconded by another Member of the Chamber
Voting system - if only one candidature is submitted : the candidate is elected without a vote or debate
- if several candidatures are submitted : a secret ballot is taken for each candidates in the order of their registration until one of them is elected.
Procedures / results - the Clerk presides over the House during the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
STATUS
Status - in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker (or any other Member elected for that sitting) can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities Not available.
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions, in exceptional case only
- organises the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of questions, petitions, bills and amendments
Chairing of public sittings - can open and close sittings, within the framework of the Standing Orders
- can suspend sittings for short periods
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the House
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives (the Member who catches the Speaker's eye would have the floor) and withdraws permission to speak
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the House
Special powers - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes part in voting, only if he/she has been elected at the House and only in the case of a tied vote

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Parliament name Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate
NATURE
Nature of the mandate · Linked representation - imperative mandate
Start of the mandate · When the MPs take the oath (Art. 62 of the Constitution of 06.08.1962)
· Procedure (Art. 62 of the Constitution, Schedule I to the Constitution, SO 1 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, Appendix 1 to the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
Validation of mandates · Validation by the Supreme Court only in case of challenge (Art. 44 (1) (a) of the Constitution)
· Procedure (Art. 44 (1) (a) and (2) of the Constitution; see also Art. 46 of the Constitution)
End of the mandate · On the day when the legal term of the House ends - or on the day of early dissolution (Art. 41 (1) (a) and 64 (2) of the Constitution) (for early dissolution, see Art. 64 (1) and (5) of the Constitution)



Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will (Art. 137 (1) of the Constitution)
· Procedure (Art. 41 (1) (b) and 137 of the Constitution)
· Authority competent to accept the resignation: the resignation need not be accepted

Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Loss of mandate by judicial decision: decision of the Supreme Court (Art. 44 (1) (b) of the Constitution):
- Loss of mandate for absence (Art. 41 (1) (c) of the Constitution, SO 81 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Loss of eligibility or incompatibilities (Art. 41 (1) (d) to (g), and (2) to (4) in connection with Art. 39 and 40 of the Constitution)
- General procedure (Art. 44 (1) (b) and (2) of the Constitution)
STATUS OF MEMBERS
Rank in hierarchy 1. The Speaker
2. Prime Minister
3. The Leader of the Opposition
4. The Leader of the House
5. Cabinet Ministers
6. State Ministers
7. Parliamentary Secretaries
8. The other MPs
Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic or official passport
· Basic salary: JMD 3,409,267 per year
+ Subsistence allowance (SO 81 (4) to (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives): JMD 43,200 per year
+ Upkeep Allowance: JMD 514,500 per year
· The basic salary is taxable. The allowances are tax exempt.
· Pension scheme: contributory scheme; MPs qualify after 9 years or two terms of service
Travel and transport:
- Constituency Travelling Allowance: JMD 248,400 per year (Rural); 124,200.00 (Urban)
- Mileage Allowance: JMD 30 per kilometre
Obligation to declare personal assets Yes
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist.
· Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament.
· Derogations: sub judice matters (SO 35 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives), offence or insult (SO 35 (4) and (5) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, see Discipline)
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist.
· It applies only to civil proceedings, covers only civil debts with the exception of those which constitute criminal offences, and protects MPs only from arrest and from being held in preventive custody. For the loss of mandate for a sentence to death or to imprisonment for a term of or exceeding six months, see Loss of mandate for loss of eligibility or incompatibilities.
· No derogations are foreseen.
· Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal.
· Protection is provided only during sessions. Since it does not cover judicial proceedings in general, it does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) cannot be lifted.
· Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members.
EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE
Training Parliamentary training is provided mainly through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). A post-election training is usually hosted by the Houses of Parliament soon after a General Election.

Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings, or other meetings. For leave of absence, see SO 81 (1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
· Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation (Art. 41 (1) (c) of the Constitution, SO 81 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives): loss of mandate
· Body competent to judge such cases/to impose penalties: the Supreme Court
Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in SO 35 (4) and (5), 41 and 43 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
· Disciplinary measures foreseen:
- Warning for irrelevance (SO 43 (1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Order to discontinue the speech (SO 43 (1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Order to withdraw (SO 43 (2), and (9) to (11) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Naming and suspension (SO 43 (3) to (11) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Adjournment of the House, suspension of the sitting (SO 43 (12) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Other measures (SO 43 (13) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
· Specific cases:
- Offence or insult (SO 35 (4) and (5) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties (SO 41 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives):
- Warning for irrelevance, order to discontinue the speech, order to withdraw, naming, adjournment of the House, suspension of the sitting: the Speaker
- Suspension, other measures: the House of Representatives
· Procedure:
- Warning for irrelevance, order to discontinue the speech (SO 43 (1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Order to withdraw (SO 43 (2), and (9) to (11) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Naming and suspension (SO 43 (3) to (11) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Adjournment of the House, suspension of the sitting (SO 43 (12) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- Other measures (SO 43 (13) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
- General procedure (SO 41 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives)
Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system but there are some relevant provisions (Art. 41 (1) (e) to (g), and (2) (a) in connection with Art. 40 (1) (a), (2) (b) and (c), and Art. 44 (1) (b) and (2) of the Constitution, SO 35 (8) and 82 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives).
· Penalties foreseen for violation of the rules of conduct: loss of mandate (41 (1) (e) to (g), and (2) (a) in connection with Art. 40 (1) (a), (2) (b) and (c) of the Constitution; incompatibilities)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties: the Supreme Court
· Procedure (Art. 44 (1) (b) and (2) of the Constitution).
Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.


This page was last updated on 8 April 2016
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