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Legislative branch of the Jamaican government From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
17.9740°N 76.7906°W / 17.9740; -76.7906
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 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2016) |
Parliament of Jamaica Paaliment | |
|---|---|
| 14th Parliament of Jamaica | |
| |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
| Leadership | |
Charles III since 8 September 2022 | |
Patrick L. Allen since 26 February 2009 | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 84 21 Senators 63 Members of Parliament |
 | |
Senate political groups |
Jamaica Labour Party (13)
|
 | |
House of Representatives political groups |
Jamaica Labour Party (49)
|
| Elections | |
Senate voting system | Appointed by the Governor-General of Jamaica on advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition |
House of Representatives voting system | First-past-the-post |
Last House of Representatives election | 3 September 2020 |
Next House of Representatives election | 2025 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| George William Gordon House, Kingston, Jamaica | |
| Website | |
| japarliament | |
The Parliament of Jamaica (Jamaican Patois: Paaliment a Jumieka) is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. It consists of three elements: The Crown (represented by the Governor-General), the appointed Senate and the directly elected House of Representatives.
The Senate, the Upper House, is the direct successor of a pre-Independence body known as the "Legislative Council" and comprises 21 senators appointed by the Governor-General: thirteen on the advice of the Prime Minister and eight on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.
The House of Representatives, the Lower House, is made up of 63 (previously 60) Members of Parliament, elected to five-year terms on a first-past-the-post basis in single-seat constituencies.
As Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy modelled after the Westminster system, most of the government's ability to make and pass laws is dependent on the Prime Minister's ability to command the confidence of the members of the House of Representatives. Though both Houses of Parliament hold political significance, the House of Representatives, of which the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are both required to be members, holds a more powerful and prestigious role since it is the main source of legislation.
The Parliament meets at Gordon House at 81 Duke Street, Kingston.[1] It was built in 1960 and named in memory of Jamaican patriot George William Gordon.[2]
Construction on a new parliament building directly north of Gordon House was expected to start in early 2021.[3] However, the start of construction was delayed.[4] As of May 2024[update], the project was still in the procurement phase.[5]
The House of Representatives is the Lower House. It is the group of elected members of parliament.
The Senate is the Upper House. The current members are:
Jamaica Labour Party:
People's National Party:
In order to effect changes to the Constitution of Jamaica a two-thirds majority in both Houses is required. Therefore, changes to the Jamaican constitution will require consensus among Government and Opposition Senators.
 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | % | +/– | Seats | +/– | |
| Jamaica Labour Party | 408,376 | 57.07 | +6.99 | 49 | +17 | |
| People's National Party | 305,950 | 42.76 | –6.95 | 14 | –17 | |
| Independents | 1,185 | 0.17 | +0.03 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 715,511 | 100.00 | – | 63 | – | |
| Valid votes | 715,511 | 98.78 | ||||
| Invalid/blank votes | 8,806 | 1.22 | ||||
| Total votes | 724,317 | 100.00 | ||||
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,913,410 | 37.85 | ||||
| Source: Electoral Commission of Jamaica | ||||||
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