ECJ floats boundary realignment plan for new Portmore parish

At a joint stakeholder consultation on May 29, the ECJ convened approximately 70 participants from the parish boundary advisory committee (PABC) and the parish boundary forum (PBF) for Portmore and St. Catherine. The high-stakes meeting was designed to review and refine proposed boundary adjustments mandated by the Boundaries Committee of Parliament.

The exercise, driven by the passage of legislation in February 2025 to make Portmore Jamaica’s 15^th  parish, hinges on a strict constitutional requirement. Section 67 of the constitution dictates that constituency boundaries must not cross parish lines, making the current realignment a legal necessity.

Four Constituencies in Focus

During the meeting, Director of Elections Glasspole Brown emphasized that the session marked a crucial point in a structured and constitutionally guided process.

“At this stage, we are presenting technical proposals developed through GIS analysis and stakeholder input,” Brown stated. “The feedback received will be carefully considered as we refine our recommendations for submission to the parliamentary boundaries committee for further review and determination.”

The technical lead of the presentation was delivered by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager, Remoski Russell. She outlined the data-driven methodology behind the proposed changes, which are expected to directly impact four constituencies: St. Catherine South Eastern, St. Catherine East Central, St. Catherine Southern, and St. Catherine South Central.

The meeting brought together a broad cross-section of political representatives, ECJ and Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) officials, and community volunteers.

Data-Driven and Transparent Process 

The ECJ has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the realignment process is not only constitutionally compliant but also maintains fairness and accuracy in electoral representation. The commission says the work will continue through collaborative discussions and GIS-driven validations before final recommendations are prepared for parliamentary approval.

The initiative underscores the practical electoral changes required following the parliamentary decision to elevate Portmore’s status, ensuring that residents are properly represented within legally defined boundaries. The ECJ pledged to continue a transparent and consultative process to support effective electoral administration for the people of Jamaica.