EOJ not informed of court ruling on Portmore electoral boundaries

The Electoral Office of Jamaica says it will not comment on how yesterday’s court ruling on the electoral boundaries in Portmore will affect its preparations for Monday’s local government polls.

Justice Martin Gayle yesterday ruled that former Local Government Minister Noel Arscott unlawfully sought to extend the boundaries of the municipality last year.

This means that residents of Lakes Pen, Quarrie Hill, Grange Lane, Clifton and adjoining areas will not be able to vote for a mayor for the municipality of Portmore.

The ruling also means that the new boundaries gazetted cannot be used for the local government elections on Monday.

However, up to last night, director of elections, Orrett Fisher, said he had not been informed of the court ruling.

He says the only information he has is from the media:

Arscott’s decision to have sections of Spanish Town, St Catherine, included in Portmore was challenged by Jamaica Labour Party candidate caretaker for the Southborough division, Lennox Hines.

His attorney, Shane Dalling, said the judge ruled that the Municipalities Act does not grant the minister any power to vary a boundary.