KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) says all systems are in place to receive nominations of candidates for the local government elections.

Nominations will take place on tomorrow from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at designated centres within the sixty-three constituencies. 

Elections for the position of Councillor to sit on the councils of the 13 Municipal Corporations will be contested in 228 Electoral Divisions, as well as the office of Mayor of the Municipality of Portmore. The two major political parties are expected to nominate a full slate of candidates across all the divisions. 

Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher says the EOJ is ready for nomination day, even as preparations for election day remain in high gear. He is expressing confidence that nomination day, as well as election day proceedings, will progress smoothly.

“With the preparations we have made, I anticipate a smooth nomination process on Friday. There are certain legal requirements that we must meet and a number of tasks to complete by Nomination Day; our team has been working tirelessly to ensure that these are achieved. We anticipate that the proceedings on Friday will pave the way for a seamless process up to Election Day,” he said. 

Nomination Procedures

Prospective candidates may be nominated as a member of a political party or as an independent. On nomination day, any person wishing to register as a candidate is required to:

1. fill out a nomination form which has been signed by any six or more electors registered to vote in the electoral division;

2. return the form to the returning officer between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm; and

3. pay a nomination fee of J$3,000.