PNP Ramps Up Election Readiness Amid Rumors of Early 2020 General Elections

KINGSTON, Jamaica

 As political speculation intensifies, the People’s National Party (PNP) is accelerating its election readiness efforts amid growing rumors that Prime Minister Andrew Holness may call a general election in 2020.

The buzz surrounding an early election date began to grow following the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) annual general conference in November 2019. During his address to thousands of supporters on November 24, Holness teased that general elections were "not too long to come," adding:

“Very soon we will have everything in place, and when everything is in place, you will see me reach for the bell.”

JLP General Secretary and Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, echoed the sentiment, saying the party is confident and ready should an early election be called this year.

PNP Responds with Candidate Retreat, Strategy Sessions

In response, the PNP has taken deliberate steps to shore up its readiness, recently hosting a two-day candidate retreat focused on mobilization, training, and strategic planning.

PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson told the Jamaica Observer that the party has already identified 56 of the 63 candidates it expects to contest in the upcoming general election. The seven remaining constituencies are mostly JLP strongholds.

Among the notable new PNP candidates are:

• Dr. Walton Small, educator – St. James Southern

• Michael Hemmings, attorney-at-law – St. James East Central

• Dr. Andre Haughton, economist – St. James West Central

• Wavell Hinds, former West Indies cricketer – Hanover Eastern

Peter Phillips Assures Party Readiness, Criticizes Current State of Governance

PNP President Dr. Peter Phillips told comrades at the retreat, held at the University of the West Indies, that the party is fully prepared to serve the Jamaican people. He framed the upcoming election as a fight for justice and economic restoration, citing troubling national indicators.

“There is rampant crime and violence, economic stagnation, and rising concerns about corruption and even extradition,” Phillips said.

He added that STATIN’s recent reports show deceleration in economic activity, reinforcing the need for change in leadership. Phillips emphasized the PNP's commitment to those who’ve been left behind.

When Is the Next General Election Due?

According to the Jamaican Constitution, general elections must be held within five years and three months of the first sitting of Parliament. This places the legal window between:

• February 25, 2021 – Five years after the last election

• June 10, 2021 – Five years and three months after the first sitting

Despite this, Prime Minister Holness has been careful not to commit to an early election, stating only that he’ll name the date when the JLP is fully prepared to contest leadership.

Our Opinion

The JLP’s strategic vagueness and the PNP’s aggressive preparation signal a potentially fierce electoral battle. While Prime Minister Holness remains publicly noncommittal, his tone suggests a tactical countdown is underway. The PNP, for its part, appears determined not to be caught off-guard. If both parties continue on this trajectory, Jamaicans should be bracing for a 2020 showdown sooner rather than later.

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