The civil society group National Integrity Action, NIA, is adding its voice to calls for stricter regulations governing the timelines for by-elections in the House of Representatives.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NIA Principal Director Danielle Archer, criticized Wednesday’s nomination in North East St. Ann, in which only one major party candidate was nominated.
She describes the slate as an effective lack of choice which she says could lead to a skewed electoral outcome.
Ms. Archer says the situation is risked on each occasion where there is undue or politically motivated delay in holding by-elections.
She pointed out that such delays undermine democratic representation, citing the prolonged wait of nearly a year for a by-election in South Trelawny following the resignation of former House Speaker Marisa Dalrymple Philibert.
Ms. Archer argues that the people of South Trelawny deserve timely representation in Parliament.
She is suggesting that parliamentary by-election procedures should mirror those of the Local Government Act of 2016.
Under the Act, a by-election must be held within 90 days of a municipal vacancy notification.
The NIA Principal Director proposes adopting a similar timeframe for parliamentary by-elections to ensure a more efficient and representative electoral process.
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