According to the PM, some expatriates may face obstacles when voting in Jamaica.

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The participation of people from the diaspora who are not Jamaican citizens but who are nevertheless related to the island in local general elections, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, may present difficulties.

During the Thursday ‘Let’s Connect’ virtual conference held by Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Holness was asked if he would support diaspora residents casting ballots in national elections.

Holness referred to requests for diaspora residents to cast ballots in municipal elections as a “very difficult matter” and said that once a Jamaican person living abroad can prove that they were still a resident of the island upon arriving, they are eligible to vote.

However, he noted that it “could pose a barrier” for those connected to Jamaica but who are not citizens to vote through procedures like mail-in ballots.

On this premise, Holness stated: “That is something that the society would have to decide upon either by some type of national survey or some referendum before I could give you my own final and straight response.”

He concurred that the diaspora may be represented in the Parliament in the interim, particularly through the Senate.

To hear Holness’ whole reaction to the issue of diaspora voters participating in municipal elections and his ideas for including such people in Parliament, watch the video above.