KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) says all systems are in place for it to receive nominations of candidates for the Portland Eastern by-election.

The nominations will take place on Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Port Antonio Court House. The People’s National Party (PNP) has put forward Senator Damion Crawford to contest the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) stand-bearer Ann-Marie Vaz in the April 4 by-election.

The seat became vacant when the sitting Member of Parliament Dr Lynvale Bloomfield was brutally murdered at his home in the parish last month.

EOJ, in its statement today, reminded that on nomination day, any individual wishing to register as a candidate is required to: fill out a nomination form which has been signed by any ten or more electors registered to vote in the constituency; return the form to the Returning Officer between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm; 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 Representative 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; and be at least 21 years of age, the statement continued.

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-elections will be monitored under the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2016, said EOJ.