Chang expects St Andrew South West by-election in a month

Political commentator Kevin O’Brien Chang says he expects Prime Minister Andrew Holness to call a by-election within a month for the St Andrew South West seat vacated by Portia Simpson Miller.

Simpson Miller resigned as Member of Parliament on June 29.

Holness has given a commitment to call an early by-election in the constituency.

On Sunday, the People’s National Party (PNP) delegates selected councillor for the Norman Gardens Division, Angela Brown Burke, as their representative in the constituency.

Chang believes if Holness delays by more than another month in calling a by-election, it would not be in keeping with his promise for an early poll.

PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson has said the party expects Prime Minister Andrew Holness to call by-elections within three months of the resignation of Simpson Miller.

In the meantime, Chang believes the upcoming by-election could settle questions about the large voter turnout that has been a feature of elections in South West St Andrew.

He notes that Simpson Miller typically enjoys the support of 95 per cent of the electors in the constituency and it will now be easier to evaluate the motivation of the voters now that she is no longer a candidate.