The number of candidates to be nominated to contest the upcoming local government polls could top 500 as the main political parties in Jamaica go all out to secure victory in the high-stakes election on February 26.

The Andrew Holness-led JLP will be looking for reassurance that the programmes and policies delivered since the last general election have set the country on the right path, while the Mark Golding-led PNP will be hoping that voters will give his party the nod as a signal that the country is headed in the wrong direction and a change of government is needed.

While the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) could not provide an official estimate of the number of candidates expected to be nominated today, both the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the opposition People’s National Party are expected to field candidates in all the divisions in the 63 constituencies across the island. In addition, there is expected to be a few independent candidates vying for a seat in the municipal corporations. There is also the direct election of mayor for the Municipality of Portmore.

Nomination is scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the official list of nominees expected to be announced late this evening or early tomorrow morning, according to the EOJ.

Candidate requirements

Any person wishing to register as a candidate is required to meet the following requirements:
• Complete Nomination Form – Form A (provided on the Electoral Office of Jamaica website or at the nearest constituency office):
o signed by any six or more electors qualified to vote in an electoral division for which an election is to be held (for the election of a councillor)
o signed by any six or more electors qualified to vote in an electoral division within the area of the jurisdiction of a City Municipality for which an election for mayor is to be held (for election of mayor of Municipality of Portmore)
• Return the form to the returning officer between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the place specified in the election notice as designated venue on the day appointed as nomination day.
• Pay the nomination fee of J$3,000 to the returning officer. Deposits must be made in bank notes, no debit/credit cards or cheques will be accepted.