PNP sees this as vindication of its in legal challenge on the matter

Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Andrew Holness administration has been forced to hit the brakes on its attempts to make Portmore, Jamaica’s 15^th parish, giving the Constitutional Court an undertaking today not to proceed with the matter until all constitutional matters on it are settled.  

The Opposition, People’s National Party (PNP) took the Holness government to court last week getting an injunction, forcing a temporary halt to the implementation of the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act, 2025 until full compliance with Section 67 of the Constitution.

The implementation of the Act follows its passage in both Houses of Parliament by majority vote with the PNP voting against the legislation. 

Government’s commit to temporary halt

In court today, the government reportedly decided to pull back on declaring Portmore Jamaica’s 15^th parish until the constitutional matters brought by the PNP are addressed and finalized. The PNP is viewing this latest victory in the Portmore parish impasse as a clear vindication of its position on the unconstitutionality of the current method of making Portmore Jamaica’s latest parish. 

In a statement this afternoon, the PNP says, “The Court has affirmed what we have consistently maintained: the Government was attempting to move forward in blatant breach of the constitutional process. This legal action, initiated by the PNP, was necessary to hold the Government accountable after it chose to ignore a letter dated June 18, 2024, sent to Parliament by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, which explicitly advised of this constitutional breach. The Government’s disregard for both the Commission’s warning and the rule of law left us with no choice but to seek judicial intervention.”

According to the PNP, “The fact that the Court has compelled the Government to give an undertaking—effectively halting their unlawful actions—demonstrates the seriousness of their disregard for due process. This victory is not just for the PNP but for every Jamaican who believes in justice, accountability, and the sanctity of our laws.”

The party is urging the Government to respect the Constitution and to adhere to the proper procedures in all matters of governance, promising to continue to defend the rights of all Jamaicans and uphold the laws of the land as laid out by the Constitution.