JAMAICA | Court Blocks Government's Portmore Parish Plan in Landmark Ruling

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 21, 2025 - In a stunning rebuke to the Holness administration, the Supreme Court has granted an interim injunction halting the government's controversial attempt to declare Portmore Jamaica's 15th parish—a move the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) condemns as "blatant gerrymandering" ahead of upcoming elections.

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes issued orders Wednesday temporarily blocking the Minister of Local Government and Community Development from implementing the new parish law, despite its successful passage through Parliament and the Governor General's assent.

"This action by the court is an important step in upholding the Constitution and protecting the democratic will of the people of Portmore," said Fitz Jackson, Member of Parliament for South St. Catherine and Opposition Spokesperson for Portmore Affairs, who spearheaded the legal challenge.

The injunction represents a significant legal victory for the PNP, which argues the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government is attempting to manipulate constituency boundaries under the veneer of development initiatives—a charge that strikes at the heart of Jamaica's democratic processes.

Jackson emphasized that Portmore's unique governance structure, carefully cultivated by residents since the community's inception, must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. "The Government's unilateral effort to impose parish status without proper consultation or consent from the residents is undemocratic," he stated.

The battle over Portmore's status has exposed deeper tensions regarding local governance and political representation in Jamaica. Residents have long enjoyed a distinct framework for municipal management, and the Opposition maintains that any substantive changes must include their meaningful participation rather than top-down decisions from Kingston.

The legal proceedings will move swiftly, with the Attorney General required to respond by March 26, followed by additional PNP filings due March 27. Justice Sykes has scheduled the next hearing for March 28, setting the stage for what could become a precedent-setting case on constitutional authority and local governance.

"The PNP remains committed to defending the rule of law and ensuring that Jamaica's democratic principles are preserved," Jackson concluded, signaling that the opposition party views this not merely as a local dispute but as a battle for constitutional integrity.

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