Final Results Released in Jamaican Vote; New PM to Be Sworn in Thursday

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The final results in Jamaica’s election have been sent to the Govenor-General, with the opposition People’s National Party winning 42 of 63 seats.

The PNP had initially totaled 41 seats, until a recount in the South West St Elizabeth Constituency turned that race for PNP candidate Hugh Buchanan. Jamaican Investment Minister Dr Christopher Tufton lost his seat in that recount.

He had been the country’s Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister since July, after having served as Agriculture Minister.

“Following the completion of the official count of ballots cast in the Dec. 29 poll, the Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher, today sent an advisory to Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, officially notifying him of the political party that secured the majority of seats in Parliament,” said a release fro the Electoral Commission of Jamaica.

PNP leader Portia Simpson Miller will be sworn in at King’s House on Thursday in a ceremony beginning at 4PM.

Those contesting the results of the poll have four days following the completion of the official count in each constituency in which to file for a magisterial recount.

“The Electoral Office will now be focusing its energies on paying the over 30,000 election day workers who served in various capacities on Election Day,” the release said. “It is anticipated that these payments will be completed by the end of January.”