BRUCE Golding yesterday signalled that he would be stepping down as head of the Government earlier than his original November timeline, confirming information from highly placed sources close to the administration that Andrew Holness will go into the ruling Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP’s) annual conference next month as prime minister and announce a snap general election.
Golding’s hint at the development came during an address at the official launch of Compete Caribbean at the Wyndham Hotel in New Kingston.
Said Golding: “The person who is expected to succeed me in a matter of days has provided very strong leadership in transforming our education process, but that is not something that can be done in any short time span.”
Journalists covering the assignment were unable to question Golding about his statement as he left shortly after completing his address. However, it gave legitimacy to speculation in political circles that Golding wanted to ensure that Holness had enough time to call the election for early December.
Under Jamaican law, there should be a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 23 days between nomination day and election day. In addition, there must be five days, excluding Sundays and public holidays, between the announcement of the election and nomination day.
If, therefore, Holness chooses to announce the election at the public session of the JLP conference on November 20, the country could be asked to vote as early as December 15.
Since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944, Jamaicans have gone to the polls in general elections five times in December. According to data on the Electoral Office of Jamaica website, the 1944, 1949, 1976, 1983 and 1997 elections were all held in December.
Last month, Golding stunned the country when he announced his intention not to seek reelection as JLP leader at the party conference in November and to step down as chief executive as soon as a new JLP leader was elected.
Since then, Holness, the 39-year-old education minister, has received overwhelming support from the JLP’s parliamentary group and party delegates in general, to replace Golding and has given the JLP a bounce in public support. He remains the only candidate duly nominated.
Holness’s elevation to the country’s top job will make him the youngest ever occupant of the post, and JLP insiders have said that the party intends to take advantage of the popularity he is now enjoying.
This week, at the Observer Monday Exchange, Holness said his life has been transformed into a whirlwind of activities since it became clear that he was the front-runner for the top job.
Before appearing at the Monday Exchange shortly after 9:00 am, he had an early morning meeting with Golding. After leaving the Observer, he attended another meeting with the prime minister and representatives of the International Monetary Fund before going to the weekly Cabinet meeting at Jamaica House.
“I’ve been attending, on average, seven to eight meetings a day,” said Holness, who has also been attending party rallies and fulfilling his portfolio responsibilities at official functions.
Source: jamaicaobserver
