All Eyes on the PM for General Election Date – Prime Minister Andrew Holness appeared to be on the campaign trail during his tour of Western Jamaica last weekend making stops in St. James and Hanover. There was anticipation that the date of the general election would be announced, but that did not happen. Political commentator Lloyd b. Smith who resides in St. James, says the actions of the Prime Minister are an indication that plans are underway.
“With any doubt at all, the elections are imminent which means we are looking at the latter part of August or more practically early September,” said Smith.
Smith, however, believes the increase in COVID-19 cases along with the reopening of schools might affect the timing of the election. He says there is a possibility that the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness is still affected by the 2011 elections when he called the election nine months earlier than constitutionally due.
“There is now a similar scenario unfolding and there are those who are vociferously calling ‘ call it Andrew call it’ but he may suffer the consequences because timing is the art of politics. I would want to suggest though that if he’s going to call the election more soon than later then obviously the matter of the COVID-19 situation has to be seriously looked at.”
He continued, “He would be looking very closely at what’s happening in the Trinidad elections which are now taking place and to see how they manage to hold their elections in the Covid-19 environment and perhaps that will give him a lead as to how he should proceed.”
The political commentator and Veteran Broadcaster believes that there are serious challenges ahead for the Jamaica Labour Party.
“One ca only hope that he will be very level headed because in the very final analysis what should be most paramount in his mind at this time is one, the safety and well being of the nation and two, the survival of the economy which is almost in tatters at this time.”
