ECJ starts consultations on boundary adjustments linked to Portmore parish status

The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has begun consultations on electoral boundary adjustments linked to Portmore’s parish status as part of efforts to align constituency lines with constitutional requirements.

The update came in a statement issued Tuesday, following a joint consultation meeting held Friday, May 29, involving the Parish Boundary Advisory Committee and Parish Boundary Forum for Portmore and St Catherine.

The ECJ said the meeting brought together about 70 participants, including political representatives, Electoral Commission of Jamaica officials, Electoral Office of Jamaica staff, volunteers and other stakeholders. 

According to the ECJ, the session forms part of a “structured and constitutionally guided process” to ensure proposed boundary changes are technically sound and legally compliant.

“This session marks an important step in a structured and constitutionally guided process,” said Director of Elections Glasspole Brown.

“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,” he added.

The lead technical presentation was delivered by GIS Manager Remoski Russell, who outlined proposed electoral boundary adjustments and the methodology guiding the review process.

The ECJ said the proposed changes would affect four constituencies - St Catherine South Eastern, St Catherine East Central, St Catherine Southern and St Catherine South Central.

The review follows the passage of legislation in February 2025 granting Portmore parish status as Jamaica’s 15th parish.

The commission said the exercise is being conducted under Section 67 of the Constitution, which requires that constituency boundaries must not cross parish lines.

The ECJ said the process includes GIS-driven analysis, stakeholder consultations and technical validation before final recommendations are submitted for parliamentary consideration.

It said that the objective is to ensure “constitutional compliance while maintaining fairness and accuracy in electoral representation.”

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to a “transparent, consultative and data-driven process” aimed at strengthening electoral administration.

The passage of the Portmore parish triggered an immediate legal challenge from the Opposition People's National Party, which accused the Government of attempting to push through boundary changes in breach of constitutional requirements. Those claims have been rejected by the administration. 

In a ruling issued in late March 2025, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes outlined the Government's "unequivocal undertaking" not to bring the legislation into operation until it adhered to Section 67 of the Constitution, effectively halting implementation pending proper boundary reviews and ECJ consultation.

Portmore is considered the largest residential community in the English-speaking Caribbean. 

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