KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has presented a proposal for the change in electoral boundaries in Portmore and St Catherine following the passage of legislation in February 2025 to establish Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ECJ noted that the realignment exercise is being undertaken based on instruction from the Boundaries Committee of Parliament and in accordance with the Constitution of Jamaica, which states that constituency boundaries must not cross parish boundaries.

Proposed changes are expected to impact four constituencies, namely, St Catherine South Eastern, St Catherine East Central, St Catherine Southern and St Catherine South Central.

The presentation was made during a May 29 joint meeting of the Parish Boundary Advisory Committee (PBAC) and the Parish Boundary Forum (PBF) for Portmore and St Catherine.

“This session marks an important step in a structured and constitutionally guided process. At this stage, we are presenting technical proposals developed through GIS analysis and stakeholder input. The feedback received will be carefully considered as we refine our recommendations for submission to the Parliamentary Boundaries Committee for further review and determination,” said Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown.

The lead presentation was delivered by Remoski Russell, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) manager, who outlined the proposed electoral boundary adjustments and the technical review process being undertaken.

The ECJ emphasised that the process is aimed at ensuring constitutional compliance while maintaining fairness and accuracy in electoral representation. The work will continue through collaborative discussions with stakeholders, GIS-driven reviews and validations and preparation of final recommendations for parliamentary approval.

The ECJ reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, consultative, and data-driven process that supports effective electoral administration and representation for the people of Jamaica.