EOJ says all set for Nomination Day in Portland Eastern

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) is reporting that all its systems are in place to receive nominations of candidates for the by-election in the constituency of Portland Eastern.

Nomination will take place tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Port Antonio Courthouse.

The EOJ has set out the procedures to be followed on Nomination Day.

On nomination day, any person wishing to register as a candidate is required to:

Fill out a nomination form, which has been signed by any 10 or more electors registered to vote in the constituency;

Return the form to the returning officer between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and

Pay a nomination fee of J$15,000.

Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of Jamaica (Sections 39 and 40), any person seeking to enter as a candidate to sit in the House of Representatives should:

Be a citizen of Jamaica, resident in Jamaica for at least 12 months prior to the date of nomination, or a Commonwealth citizen who has resided in Jamaica for at least 12 months prior to the nomination date.

Be at least 21 years of age.

Political Parties Registration and Campaign Financing

Under the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2014, political parties intending to contest elections must be registered with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Persons wishing to contest elections who are not members of registered political parties can do so as independent candidates. Additionally, the campaign financing and expenditure of candidates and political parties in the Portland Eastern by-election will be monitored under the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2016.