KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Communication Task Force Chairman, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Paul Buchanan’s challenge to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ victory in St Andrew West Central, calling it a win for the rule of law and Jamaica’s electoral processes.

Justice Sonya Wint-Blair on Monday rejected the People’s National Party (PNP) aspirant’s application for judicial review, ruling that the case was not arguable and had suffered what she described as a “knock-out blow” in law.

The court found that Buchanan’s challenge was submitted after the mandatory statutory period had expired, and that the October 8 application lacked merit.

Fitz-Henley said the JLP was not surprised by the outcome, pointing to earlier guidance the party received from King’s Counsel and Electoral Commission of Jamaica Commissioner, Tom Tavares-Finson.

“Based on the expert guidance of King’s Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson, we in the Jamaica Labour Party had expected the outcome that eventually prevailed today. We are not taken aback by it,” he said. “Indeed, we are of the view that it’s an indication of the upholding of our finest democratic traditions… an upholding of the rule of law.”

He described the judgment as “a strike against the willingness of the PNP to use disinformation, fake news and misinformation to burnish their political agenda.”

Fitz-Henley criticised what he said were allegations contained in affidavits filed by individuals aligned to Buchanan. He argued that the claims were not supported by independent electoral workers who operated in the constituency on election day.

Fitz-Henley also accused the Mark Golding–led PNP of attempting to target Holness with “untruthful allegations,” warning that such actions threaten the integrity of Jamaica’s democratic system.