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There is further confirmation on Wednesday afternoon that Jamaica may be heading to an early general election.
There has been growing speculation that the country could go to the polls ahead of the December 2012 date by which the election is constitutionally due.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness addressed the issue during TVJ's ‘Smile Jamaica, It's Morning Time’ magazine programme on Wednesday morning.
Elections to be up to par
In what was his first full length media interview as Prime Minister, Mr. Holness faced the inevitable question of an early poll.
Political analysts have been speculating that the poll could be held early because of the perceived bounce that Mr. Holness' elevation to Prime Minister has given the governing Jamaica Labour Party.
Since his rise to the top parliamentary job, a CVM commissioned poll suggested a reduction in the People’s National Party's (PNP) lead.
And the PNP has already raised concern about having an election before the electoral machinery is ready.
On Wednesday morning Mr. Holness would not be drawn on the actual election date but addressed the PNP's concern.
“I am a realistic person, if you don’t have the money, you can’t have an election. I agree with the position that standards must be maintained. You certainly don’t want to have an election that is below standard and being
criticised internationally,” he said.
Electoral machinery always ready
Mr. Holness insisted that the Electoral Office should always be in a state of readiness.
“We have in Jamaica probably recognized as one of the best electoral institutions in the world. They maintain a standing capacity to keep elections if they were to be called. Let’s be clear on this point that the electoral machinery must always be ready to give the government the capacity to make a decision so there is a standing capacity,” Mr. Holness said.
Opposition Leader and PNP President Portia Simpson Miller has written to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica warning that her party will not tolerate the General Election being called without the Electoral Office of Jamaica, being adequately prepared.
The ECJ is to discuss the Opposition's concerns on Wednesday.
Restoring confidence
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness gave an insight on the country's progress with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Concern has been mounting among financial analysts as well as the Opposition that Jamaica's agreement with the IMF has been derailed.
Those concerns have been heightened by the protracted period over which the country has not been assessed by the Fund.
Mr. Holness acknowledged that continuing the arrangement is hinged to the country settling issues related to the public sector wage bill.
“At some point we reached a critical juncture as it relates to wages and wage expectation and that caused, what economic analysts would call a confidence issue,”
“So the IMF is looking at the government saying, will we carry out the programme that we agreed to? There has been a little delay, the transition has also added to it and that’s why we are managing the transition so it doesn’t affect the programme. So we are now on the path of restoring confidence,”
Not leaving West Central St. Andrew
And with questions about whether Mr. Holness will be moved to a seat considered safe for the JLP, he was asked if he was eyeing West Kingston.
“Let’s just be clear, I think it is emerging now that I will not be going to West Kingston but not for that reason. I have an obligation to the people of West Central St. Andrew and it will be unfair to them,” Mr. Holness said.
A source close to the JLP has also indicated that the party will shortly formalise the candidacy of Kingston's mayor, Desmond McKenzie as its representative in West Kingston in the next general election
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