Introduction
Andrew Holness leads Jamaica Labour Party to third consecutive term amid low voter turnout
On 3rd September 2025, Jamaicans voted to elect members of the House of Representatives in a general election overshadowed by an ongoing corruption investigation involving the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the JLP secured a third consecutive term, narrowly defeating Mark Golding’s People’s National Party (PNP) in one of the closest contests in recent years. Final results gave the JLP 35 seats and the PNP 28 out of 63.
In his victory speech, Holness thanked voters for their confidence and pledged to “accelerate development”, describing Jamaica as “on the right path”. The JLP’s campaign focused on economic stability and crime reduction, citing World Bank data showing public debt falling from 140 per cent of GDP in 2013 to 73.4 per cent in 2023-2024, and official figures indicating a 43 per cent drop in homicides, the sharpest decline in decades.
The PNP made notable gains, winning 15 more seats than in 2020. Golding conceded defeat and reaffirmed respect for democratic norms while raising concerns about fairness and campaign financing. On 5th September 2025, the CARICOM Election Observation Mission assessed the polls as democratic, stating that the elections “reflected the will of the people of Jamaica and reinforced their commitment to the democratic process”.
Voter turnout remained low, at under 40 per cent of registered voters, which is one of the lowest in Jamaica’s past six general elections. Prior to the elections, the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) criticised the lack of accessibility in many polling stations, noting the absence of ramps, sign language interpreters, and Braille ballots. The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) responded that 98.8 per cent of polling sites were located on ground floors but acknowledged data gaps on the number of voters with disabilities.
The elections were not without contention. On 8th September 2025, the EOJ dismissed false social-media allegations of vote rigging and mismanagement, warning that disinformation campaigns posed a growing threat to public trust in democratic institutions.
Expression
Concerns raised over media independence ahead of general election
On 21st August 2025, the Jamaica Observer reported that the opposition political party PNP had allegedly barred journalists from the Nationwide News Network (NNN), accusing them of bias toward the ruling JLP. According to the report, the PNP objected to the participation of certain NNN journalists serving as moderators for the Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) and threatened to boycott the national debates if its concerns were ignored.
In response, the JLP, initially open to all media representatives, reportedly issued its own objections, escalating the dispute into a partisan standoff over who could moderate the debates. The episode raised concerns about the independence of the JDC, a non-partisan body jointly established by civil society and the private sector to organise and oversee political debates.
A few days earlier, on 18th August 2025, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) issued a statement condemning what it described as political interference and attacks on journalists by both major parties. The PAJ said the public rejection of individual journalists as moderators or questioners “politicised what should have been an impartial selection process” and weakened confidence in both the media and the JDC. The association called on all political actors to respect journalistic independence and to ensure that national debates remain free from partisan influence.
Peaceful Assembly
Community protest to denounce police killing
On 15th September 2025, residents of Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, held a protest demanding justice and transparency following the police killing of 22-year-old Jamar Farquharson. The demonstration, organised by Farquharson’s family and community members, called for an independent investigation into the incident.
Police claimed that Farquharson was armed during the operation. However, eyewitnesses and relatives disputed this account, citing CCTV footage showing him with his hands raised as officers entered the premises. Reports later indicated that Farquharson’s name did not appear on the police warrant, further fuelling public concern about accountability and the use of force.
In response, on 27th September 2025, human rights organisation Stand Up For Jamaica issued a public statement raising alarm at a 76 per cent increase in police-related fatalities compared to 2024, and called on the government to pass legislation requiring all officers to wear and activate body-worn cameras during public and tactical operations.
Protest in solidarity with Palestine
On 8th August 2025, dozens of protesters gathered in Kingston to denounce the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Protesters marched through the streets carrying Palestinian flags and placards calling for an immediate ceasefire and stronger international action. No clashes or counterprotests were reported.
Public workers mobilise over unsafe conditions as union calls for urgent relocation
On 11th July 2025, employees at the Administrator General’s Department (AGD) staged a protest over mould, poor air quality and ventilation issues. The employees said they have been facing these issues for almost a decade, but that their health conditions have worsened. Chief Executive Officer of the AGD, Stacie-Ann Carty, said the last report from the Ministry of Health did not identify the building as “sick” but added that work is being done to improve the employees’ working conditions. The Jamaica Civil Service Association recommended that the employees be relocated to a safer building.
Association
Police chief’s order to remove union leader sparks freedom of association dispute
In September 2025, the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) accused the police commissioner of violating national and international labour standards after ordering the Chairman of the Police Officers’ Association (POA), Senior Superintendent Wayne Cameron, to vacate his post.
The JCTU said the directive issued by Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake, which also denied the POA recognition by the police high command, represented an unprecedented interference in union affairs. The confederation warned that if the Ministry of Labour fails to address the issue, it will seek the intervention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
According to the JCTU, the action breaches ILO Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association, and Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, both ratified by Jamaica. It also cited violations of the Constitution’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of association and equality before the law.
The union stressed that the POA’s leadership derives its legitimacy from its members, not from the employer, and that attempts to remove its elected head undermine democratic representation within the security forces.