Politics of Jamaica

Jamaica

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Jamaica

Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General Patrick Allen Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller Ministries and Agencies Cabinet Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness Parliament Senate House of Representatives Political parties Elections: 2002, 2007, 2011 Parishes and Counties Judiciary Foreign relations Diplomatic missions

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The Politics of Jamaica takes place in a framework of a representative parliamentary democratic monarchy. The 1962 Constitution of Jamaica established a parliamentary system based on the United Kingdom model. As chief of state, Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor general, on the advice of the prime minister, as her representative in Jamaica. The governor general's role is largely ceremonial. Executive power is vested in the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. Jamaica is an independent country and Commonwealth Realm. It is a parliamentary democracy whose political and legal traditions closely follow those of the United Kingdom. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. Jamaica's current Constitution was drafted in 1962 by a bipartisan joint committee of the Jamaican legislature. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act, 1962 of the United Kingdom Parliament, which gave Jamaica political independence. Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.

Executive branch

Main office holders

Office	Name	Party	Since
Queen	Elizabeth II		6 February 1952
Governor-General	Patrick Allen		26 February 2009
Prime Minister	Portia Simpson-Miller	People's National Party	5 January 2012

The 1962 Constitution established a parliamentary system based on the United Kingdom model. As chief of state, Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor general, on the advice of the prime minister, as her representative in Jamaica. The governor general's role is largely ceremonial. Executive power is vested in the Queen, but exercised mostly by the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister.

Legislative branch

Parliament is composed of an appointed Senate and an elected House of Representatives. Thirteen Senators are nominated on the advice of the prime minister and eight on the advice of the leader of the opposition; as a two-thirds majority of both chambers is needed for major constitutional amendments, this provides a consensus requirement for significant change. General elections must be held within five years of the forming of a new government. The prime minister may ask the governor general to call elections sooner, however. The Senate may submit bills, and it also reviews legislation submitted by the House. It may not delay budget bills for more than one month or other bills for more than seven months. The prime minister and the Cabinet are selected from the Parliament. No fewer than two nor more than four members of the Cabinet must be selected from the Senate.

Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Jamaica. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Jamaica.

 Summary of the 29 December 2011 Jamaican House of Representatives election results

Parties	Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
People's National Party	463,232	53.28	+3.7	42	+14
Jamaica Labour Party	405,234	46.61	–3.7	21	–11
Marcus Garvey People's Progressive Party	418	0.05		0	±0
National Democratic Movement	265	0.03		0	±0
Independents	232	0.03		0	±0
Jamaica Alliance Movement	57	0.00		0	±0
Invalid/blank votes		–	–	–	–
Total (turnout 52.76%)	869,438	100		63
Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Judicial branch

Main article: Judiciary of Jamaica

The judiciary also is modeled on the UK system. The Court of Appeal is the highest appellate court in Jamaica. Under certain circumstances, cases may be appealed to the United Kingdom's Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Jamaica's parishes have elected councils that exercise limited powers of local government.

Firearms offenses, including possession of unlicensed guns and ammunition, are tried before a dedicated Gun Court established in 1974. The Gun Court hears cases in camera and practices jury trial only for cases of treason or murder. All other cases are tried by resident magistrates or justices of the Supreme Court of Jamaica.

Administrative divisions

Jamaica is divided in 14 parishes: Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland.

International organization participation

ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-33, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

See also

• List of Jamaican Ministers of State