GOVERNOR General Professor Kenneth Hall yesterday issued a proclamation postponing parliamentary elections from August 27 to September 3.

The proclamation confirmed Tuesday’s report by the Observer that the elections would be postponed to Monday, September 3, and that the security forces and election day workers would cast their ballots on Tuesday, August 28.

In a statement issued prior to the proclamation, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller acknowledged that she had advised the Governor General to issue the proclamation in accordance with Section 20(1)(C) of the Representation of the People Act.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, (PSOJ) in an immediate response to the announcement last night, said that the decision averted a major crisis that the nation could ill afford.

“We look forward to the holding of general elections on September 3 and are hopeful that the nation will experience a peaceful election period,” the PSOJ’s statement said.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller said that while recognising that the responsibility for making the decision rested squarely with the Cabinet, a number of factors were taken into consideration.

“First, we have had to take note of the unanimous recommendation of the Electoral Commission, which includes representatives of both political parties. Second, we have been mindful of the essential requirement that all Jamaicans, who wish to vote, have safe and convenient access to their polling stations.

“These two considerations have been balanced by the recognition that, after a disaster of the magnitude of Hurricane Dean, the relief of human suffering must be our first priority, which to a considerable extent depends upon the earliest possible determination of our national political leadership,” she said.

Leader of the Opposition, Bruce Golding, was not available for a comment last night, but had already indicated that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), would not accept any date other than that recommended by the Electoral Commission.

Speaking at a press briefing at the JLP’s Belmont Road head office on Tuesday, Golding said, “Our understanding is that the Electoral Commission unanimously recommended that the elections be postponed by one week, to the third of September. And we are expecting that that recommendation is going to be accepted.”

In its statement, the PSOJ also welcomed the decision to terminate the State of Public Emergency stating that, while many areas of Jamaica were still negatively affected by the passage of Hurricane Dean, it was not required for the security forces and other relevant agencies to carry out their duties effectively.

The PSOJ said that the State of Public Emergency would negatively impact on Jamaica’s image and affect tourism and other important business sectors, and even more importantly, raises concerns for the protection of the rights of citizens.

The PSOJ expressed sympathy to those affected by Hurricane Dean and commended the security forces and other agencies for working tirelessly to mitigate the effects of the hurricane.

“We welcome recent contributions from our neighbours and trading partners and also commitments made by local organisations to assist those in need.

“It is our sincere hope that, in the rebuilding process after the passage of Hurricane Dean, both pre and post elections, we will all work together in a non-partisan manner, in order that the nation can move forward in a united manner,” the PSOJ said.