KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Accompong Electoral Committee says nomination day activities scheduled for Friday in Accompong, St Elizabeth will proceed as planned despite a Supreme Court injunction ordering a halt to the election process.

On Wednesday, Justice N Hart-Hines granted an interim injunction staying both nomination day and election day activities until June 10, 2026, or until the amended application before the court is heard.

The legal action was brought by Meredith Rowe, a former colonel of Accompong and a prospective candidate in this year’s election, which became due on February 18.

Rowe has alleged that Colonel Richard Currie has been making plans without informing potential candidates and setting up conditions and creating rules that suit him and his agenda. He also claimed it was ridiculous that nomination day was scheduled for Friday and the voters’ list was not even finalised.

READ: Court ruling pauses Accompong election process

In a statement issued Friday, the Accompong Electoral Committee said it learned through media reports that the Supreme Court had intervened in what it described as an independent electoral process within the Sovereign State of Accompong.

The committee expressed surprise that the court granted the injunction despite acknowledgements in the legal filings that the Maroons are a self-governing people.

The Full Maroon Council, which the committee said is the authorised governing body under the Accompong Constitution, reaffirmed the independence and autonomy of the electoral process. It noted that the Electoral Committee was established under the ratified 2022 Constitution of the Sovereign State of Accompong and is chaired by Clavi Johnson, head of the Board of Elders.

According to the statement, consultations with local and international legal advisers led the committee to conclude that the nomination proceedings set for May 15, 2026 should continue.

The committee also criticised Rowe, arguing that he does not qualify to contest the election under constitutional requirements that candidates must reside in Accompong or adjoining districts for at least three consecutive years before becoming eligible.

“Mr Rowe’s eligibility status is therefore questionable even with the declaration of this injunction,” the committee said.

It further stated that a person whose eligibility is under question should not be allowed to delay what it described as a constitutionally required process awaited by thousands of Maroons.

“To subject the independent electoral traditions and governance of Accompong to external jurisdictional interference would dishonour the sacrifices, struggles and legacy of our ancestors who fought to preserve Maroon sovereignty and self-determination. This is a culturally sensitive matter that must be given the highest regard and respect as it relates to our indigenous traditions,” it added.

The Full Maroon Council and the Accompong Electoral Committee said they remain committed to protecting the integrity of Accompong’s electoral institutions and defending the sovereign rights of the Maroon people