THE People’s National Party (PNP) will likely stage its rescheduled Kingston and St Andrew parish meeting next Saturday, the Jamaica Observer has learnt.

The party took the decision to postpone the meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, August 10, 2025, after the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) announced a mass rally for the same date in Half-Way-Tree, about two miles away.

Prime minister and JLP Leader Dr Andrew Holness is expected to announce the date for the next general election at Sunday’s meeting.

The decision was motivated by concerns that supporters of both parties could clash, both on their way to and from the meetings, and the security challenges this would present to the police.

Giving a history of campaign activities leading up to now, the PNP said since July 4 it has been staging a series of well-attended parish meetings across the island every Sunday.

“The final leg of this campaign was scheduled for Sunday, August 10, in Kingston and St Andrew (KSA), following a bus tour on Saturday, August 9,” the PNP said, pointing out that it had secured all necessary permits well in advance for the final parish meeting in Cross Roads.

“However, the prime minister’s belated decision to schedule a political event in Half-Way-Tree on the same day creates an unnecessary overlap that risks placing supporters of both parties in close proximity. In the interest of public safety and to avoid any strain on the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the PNP has made the responsible decision to reschedule the KSA parish meeting. New details will be announced shortly,” the party said in a news release on Friday.

“Public safety must never be sacrificed for political theatre,” the release quotes General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell.

The party said the decision reflects its core principles of protecting the public by avoiding the risk of confrontation and ensuring peaceful political engagement; ensuring police resources are not overstretched by simultaneous events; preserving national stability and avoiding political distraction; and not allowing delay tactics to undermine democratic timelines.