Jamaicans head to polls for election as ruling party faces corruption concerns

amaicans head to the polls on Wednesday for a closely fought general election which has been overshadowed by an investigation into potential corruption in the ruling Jamaica Labour party (JLP) which is seeking a third term in office.

The latest local poll put the opposition People’s National party (PNP) 3.1% lead over the JLP, but political analyst Damion Gordon cautioned that the lead was barely larger than the margin of error.

“It is going to be a very close election,” he said.

While the JLP is leaning on their track record of reducing crime and debt and growing the economy, the PNP has pitched itself as a party that will restore trust in leadership to rid the country of corruption and focus on critical public services such as infrastructure, water supply and hospital facilities.

The government has won praise in areas such as education and the economy, but it has also come under criticism for failing to improve infrastructure and access to running water in some parts of the country.

In the closing weeks of the campaign, however, the opposition put the spotlight on concerns over alleged corruption involving the prime minister, Andrew Holness. Last year, the country’s anti-corruption body, the Integrity Commission, issued a report raising concerns about Holness’s income and assets declarations and recommended further investigation by the Financial Investigations Division, a specialized unit within the Ministry of Finance.

The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, gaining permission from the supreme court to challenge the report, which he branded unlawful and unfair.

“It’s a distraction for the government because the government has built its election campaign on the idea that it has delivered for Jamaicans in an unprecedented way,” Gordon said.

The World Bank has praised Jamaica for making “significant strides” in reducing public debt, from more than 140% of GDP in 2013 to 73.4% in the financial year 2023-2024, and its economy is expected to grow by 1.7% this year.

There has also been a drastic reduction in crime under the JLP, with official figures showing a 40% drop in murders in May, compared to the same period last year.

But during a recent debate between Holness and the opposition leader, Mark Golding, the prime minister was forced to focus on defending himself against allegations rather than just defending his achievements in office.

 

He said: “I have been investigated, for a year, with an expert forensic auditor. The findings of that report have suggested no corruption. There have been no charges. Every aspect of my report, every aspect of my personal life and my personal financial details are in the public domain.”

Golding told the Guardian that the investigation into the prime minister was a valid concern for voters.

He said: “Other issues are often on the top of people’s minds, especially the cost of living and crime and violence and so on. But I think the consciousness of the nation has been sufficiently stirred around this issue that it is going to be an issue that will impact the outcome of the election.”

He added: “We don’t see how a country like Jamaica can do with a prime minister who has that cloud hanging over him.”

Golding, who previously held dual Jamaican and British citizenship, himself came under pressure during the campaign over concerns over his “Jamaican-ness”.

“I am born in Jamaica. I grew up here, I’ve only ever worked here … And the fact that my father was British meant that I did inherit citizenship by descent. So I was a dual national, which is allowed by our constitution as long as the other nationality is a Commonwealth nationality, which obviously Britain is part of the commonwealth.”

Golding said he decided to give up his British citizenship after polls indicated that voters didn’t think a leader should have dual citizenship. He has allowed a journalist to examine his citizenship renunciation documents and displayed his birth certificate to voters.

For many voters, however, the main concern is the economic progress Jamaica has seen in recent years. “I’ve seen growth,” said business owner, Shana Kay Henry, 30. “JLP is for everybody, poor and rich.”

One PNP supporter, an accountant who did not want to give her name, said that people in her constituency were not being listened to and their needs were not being addressed. She said: “We need somebody who will represent us. They need to hear our voices … do what needs to be done.”

The outcome of the election will come down to how parties mobilise their bases, Gordon said. With the JLP’s strong performance in key areas during their tenure and with Golding offering a credible alternative, it is too close to call.

“Both political parties appear very confident, but I am of the view the election will be won on the day,” he said.