Jamaica

It is an independent nation, part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Its form of government is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The head of State is the British Monarchy, represented in the country by a Governor General. The head of government is the prime minister, who is appointed by the governor general based on their position as leader of the majority party or coalition in an election.

The country is divided into 14 administrative regions called “parishes.”

The Parliament of Jamaica is bicameral. The House of Representatives has 63 members elected directly by universal suffrage. The Senate is composed of 21 members appointed by the Governor General, of whom 13 are appointed by the prime minister and 8 by the leader of the opposition.

There are currently 14 local government structures, organized as follows: 13 municipal corporations and 1 second-tier municipal council: the Portmore Municipal Council (PMC), which belongs to the parish of St. Catherine. In total, there are 228 local authorities serving on the 14 councils, with the Municipal Corporation of Kingston and St. Andrew being the largest, with 40 councilors and 1 indirectly elected mayor, followed by the Portmore Municipal Council, with 12 councilors and 1 directly elected mayor. All corporations are presided over by a mayor, who acts as the president of the corporation.

Parliament of Jamaica: five years; local authorities: four years.

House of Representatives: first-past-the-post system.

Non applicable.

The island's 60 constituencies are subdivided into 227 electoral divisions, each of which is represented by a Parish Councilor.

Does not have.

Constitution (Amendment) (Local Government) Act 2015; Local Governance Act 2016; Local Government (Financing and Financial Management) Act 2016, y Local Government (Unified Service and Employment) Act 2016.

Electoral management body independent of the Executive power: Electoral Commission of Jamaica.