Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINGSTON1482
2006-07-28 13:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
PORTIA'S CLOCK IS TICKING: JAMAICAN ELECTIONS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKG #1482 2091321 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281321Z JUL 06 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3292 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001482
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV JM
SUBJECT: PORTIA'S CLOCK IS TICKING: JAMAICAN ELECTIONS
LIKELY
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for Reasons 1.5(b) an
d (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001482
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV JM
SUBJECT: PORTIA'S CLOCK IS TICKING: JAMAICAN ELECTIONS
LIKELY
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for Reasons 1.5(b) an
d (d).
1.(SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (PSM)
is not required to call elections until October 2007, but
most observers expect elections will be held in September or
October. PSM remains extremely popular; however, her poll
numbers are receding and her chances of winning an election
diminish with each passing month. End Summary.
2.(SBU) Although PSM is not required to call elections until
October 2007, most expect elections will be called for
September or October. PSM remains extremely popular; but,
her advantage over Opposition Leader Bruce Golding is
receding and her chances of winning an election continue to
diminish with each passing month.
3.(U) Both the People's National Party (PNP) and Jamaica
Labor Party (JLP) are actively preparing for elections. The
PNP administration embarked on a massive voter registration
drive and is finalizing its list of parliamentary candidates.
The JLP completed its candidate list and has just begun a
five day island-wide campaigning tour.
4.(SBU) Elections will not likely take place in August for
two main reasons: 1) a majority of the polling stations are
run by school teachers who are on vacation in August and are
difficult to locate; and, 2) at the end of August families
are preoccupied with preparing their children to return to
school and many will be frustrated that they do not have the
money to pay school fees or purchase books. The PNP worries
this frustration will negatively affect their support.
5.(C) Elections are not likely to occur after October due to
an informal agreement among CARICOM countries not to hold
elections within six months of Cricket World Cup, scheduled
to begin in March 2007. Although October is within that time
frame, it is regarded with some flexibility and winning the
election is the PM's primary focus.
6.(C) COMMENT: Many had expected elections shortly after her
ascent to leader of the party in March, but PSM chose instead
to wait. Therefore, PSM may push to have elections in early
or mid-September in order to win an election and secure her
own mandate before the PNP's Annual National Convention that
will take place in mid-September. End Comment.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV JM
SUBJECT: PORTIA'S CLOCK IS TICKING: JAMAICAN ELECTIONS
LIKELY
Classified By: Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson for Reasons 1.5(b) an
d (d).
1.(SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (PSM)
is not required to call elections until October 2007, but
most observers expect elections will be held in September or
October. PSM remains extremely popular; however, her poll
numbers are receding and her chances of winning an election
diminish with each passing month. End Summary.
2.(SBU) Although PSM is not required to call elections until
October 2007, most expect elections will be called for
September or October. PSM remains extremely popular; but,
her advantage over Opposition Leader Bruce Golding is
receding and her chances of winning an election continue to
diminish with each passing month.
3.(U) Both the People's National Party (PNP) and Jamaica
Labor Party (JLP) are actively preparing for elections. The
PNP administration embarked on a massive voter registration
drive and is finalizing its list of parliamentary candidates.
The JLP completed its candidate list and has just begun a
five day island-wide campaigning tour.
4.(SBU) Elections will not likely take place in August for
two main reasons: 1) a majority of the polling stations are
run by school teachers who are on vacation in August and are
difficult to locate; and, 2) at the end of August families
are preoccupied with preparing their children to return to
school and many will be frustrated that they do not have the
money to pay school fees or purchase books. The PNP worries
this frustration will negatively affect their support.
5.(C) Elections are not likely to occur after October due to
an informal agreement among CARICOM countries not to hold
elections within six months of Cricket World Cup, scheduled
to begin in March 2007. Although October is within that time
frame, it is regarded with some flexibility and winning the
election is the PM's primary focus.
6.(C) COMMENT: Many had expected elections shortly after her
ascent to leader of the party in March, but PSM chose instead
to wait. Therefore, PSM may push to have elections in early
or mid-September in order to win an election and secure her
own mandate before the PNP's Annual National Convention that
will take place in mid-September. End Comment.
JOHNSON