Supreme Court Halts Portmore Parish Law Until Constitutional Requirements Met

Kingston, Jamaica – The legal conflict over making Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish took a significant turn yesterday, as the Supreme Court ordered the Government to meet constitutional requirements before the controversial law can take effect.

Both the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and the Government have claimed victory following the ruling, highlighting deepening political and legal divisions over the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act, 2025. The legislation aims to grant Portmore parish status but has faced intense scrutiny over its potential impact on electoral boundaries and constitutional procedures.

Court Rules on Constitutional Compliance

The Supreme Court’s decision followed an injunction sought by the PNP, which argued that the Government was rushing the legislation in violation of constitutional processes. At the heart of the case is Section 67 of the Jamaican Constitution, which outlines the procedure for altering constituency boundaries.

In a landmark ruling on Friday, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes emphasized that the Government provided an “unequivocal undertaking” not to enact the law until the constitutional requirements are fulfilled. This includes consultations with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) and proper boundary reviews.

The court’s decision effectively halts the implementation of the law until the Government addresses these constitutional concerns.

PNP Declares Legal Win

PNP spokesman on Portmore Affairs, Fitz Jackson, hailed the ruling as a victory for constitutional integrity and accountability.

“The court has affirmed what we have consistently maintained: the Government was attempting to move forward in blatant breach of the constitutional process,” Jackson stated.

He criticized the Government’s handling of the process, pointing to a June 2024 letter from the ECJ warning Parliament about potential violations of the Constitution.

“The Government’s disregard for both the commission’s warning and the rule of law left us with no choice but to seek judicial intervention,” Jackson said. “We will continue to hold the Government accountable and defend the sanctity of Jamaican law.”

JLP Stands Firm Despite Setback

On the other side of the political spectrum, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is framing the court ruling as a win for the people of Portmore.

Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central, Alando Terrelonge, said the decision reinforces the Government’s commitment to delivering parish status for Portmore in accordance with the law.

“Parish status is something I have championed, and this Government will continue to take the necessary administrative steps to deliver on this promise in keeping with the wishes of the people,” Terrelonge asserted. “We are not turning back.”

Terrelonge dismissed the PNP’s legal challenge as a “premature” and politically motivated attempt to derail progress, accusing the Opposition of lacking vision for Portmore’s growth.

Constitutional Concerns Loom Large

The legal dispute primarily revolves around the potential constitutional breaches that could arise from implementing the Portmore parish law without proper constituency boundary adjustments.

The PNP has warned that moving forward prematurely could result in “widespread instability and electoral confusion.” The proposed Portmore parish boundary, which spans several constituencies, risks violating constitutional provisions against crossing parish lines in constituency delineation.

According to the PNP’s lawsuit filed on March 17, ignoring these guidelines could cause “potentially irreparable constitutional breaches” and undermine governance structures throughout Portmore.

ECJ Raises Concerns

The ECJ has also raised alarms, stressing that boundary changes could impact four constituencies, 13 electoral divisions, and hundreds of polling divisions within St Catherine. The commission has insisted that any adjustment must comply with constitutional procedures to avoid disrupting the electoral system.

However, the Government maintains it has been in regular dialogue with the ECJ to address these concerns. Delays in receiving updates from the commission have complicated efforts to proceed with the parish status plan.

Expert Weighs In

Former ECJ Chairman Professor Errol Miller recently commented on the constitutional complexities surrounding the case. In an opinion published on his blog, Miller noted that under the Constitution, the earliest Portmore could gain parish status is February 2026.

He explained that this timeline is due to the constitutional requirement of reviewing constituency boundaries every four years. The last general review concluded in February 2022, making 2026 the next available opportunity for adjustments.

Political Battle Far from Over

As the legal battle intensifies, both the PNP and the Government appear poised for a prolonged conflict over the Portmore parish law. The case has sparked fierce debate about constitutional integrity, governance, and political strategy.

With the court’s ruling now in place, the Government must carefully navigate the legal landscape to ensure compliance with constitutional guidelines before proceeding with its plans for Portmore.