KINGSTON, Jamaica – The People’s National Party (PNP) on Thursday expressed deep concern over what it claimed are delays by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in finalising arrangements for the upcoming national debates, set to begin next week.

According to a statement from the PNP, despite repeated confirmations, the JLP has now missed two critical planning meetings with the Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC), including one rescheduled for 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 14 at its own request. At the appointed time, the PNP’s debate coordinator was present and ready to proceed, but no JLP representative attended, said the Opposition party.

According to the PNP, when contacted, the JLP’s designated negotiator, Delroy Williams, indicated he was in May Pen and unavailable, despite having confirmed the meeting in advance.

The PNP called the delays unacceptable.

“The debates are a vital part of Jamaica’s democratic process, giving citizens an opportunity to hear from all parties on issues that matter most,” it said.

With the first debate set for Tuesday, the PNP added that the “ JLP’s repeated no-shows are severely limiting the time available for finalising important details and show a troubling disregard for the public, the process, and the work of the independent commissioners who facilitate these events.”

The PNP shared that it empathises with the members of the JDC, who it says “are doing their utmost to ensure fairness and transparency.”

The party said it is now calling on the JLP to “stop the political gamesmanship, respect the commission’s schedule, and commit in good faith to completing the debate arrangements without further delay.”

“The Jamaican people deserve robust, timely, and transparent debates, not stalling tactics,” the party added.