Gov't changing law to allow for local and general elections at the same time
The government has tabled a motion in Parliament proposing changes to the law to allow for local government and general elections to be held at the same time.
Leader of Government Business in the House Karl Samuda tabled the motion on behalf of Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday evening.
Samuda said at the next sitting of the House, the Prime Minister will move to introduce the amendment to the Representation of the People Act.
Under the proposed changes, there must be a minimum of 18 days and a maximum of 30 after nomination day, if local government and general elections are being held on the same day.
The Prime Minister has said the government would save $700 million if both elections were held at the same time.
However, the Electoral Office of Jamaica said it would need more than the current maximum 23 days after nomination day to prepare, if both elections were being held the same day.
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