KINGSTON, Jamaica — A petition has been launched on the Office of the Prime Minister’s website calling for a 10 year term limit for all parliamentarians, as well as the modernisation of elections.

The petition, ‘Term Limits for all Parliamentarians and Modernising Elections’, launched on August 28 made a call for term limits to not exceed 10 years in total for any and all concurrent or non-current capacities.

The petition will close on October 7.

The petition outlines that “our country needs to enable a law for the term limits of all parliamentarians and the modernisation of elections to ensure that the peaceful transition of power and citizen appointment are the hallmarks of our democracy.”

It explained that “in recognising this urgent need, we the people of Jamaica are requesting that a bill be brought to Parliament for the regulation of term limits for every elected and appointed parliamentarian in all legislative assemblies in Jamaica…”

The Andrew Holness-led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) while on the election campaign trail promised that a fixed election date and term limit for prime ministers are two of the areas on the legislative agenda.

Speaking at the ceremonial opening of Parliament, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in April last year confirmed in his Throne Speech that Parliament will this year (2016) see legislation to create fixed election dates and term limit for the prime minister.

Persons wishing to sign the petition can do so here