2025 Jamaican general election
General elections were held in Jamaica on 3 September 2025. The incumbent Jamaica Labour Party government, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, won a third term in office against the opposition People's National Party. However, the JLP lost 14 seats to the PNP, still retaining a majority.
Background
Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte said that Jamaica would transition to being a republic before the next general election. In December 2024 a bill was tabled on transitioning to becoming a republic. The bill required review by joint committees, followed by a parliamentary vote and a referendum to approve the change. It was announced in March 2025 that a referendum would not occur before the general election.Preselection contests were held in March 2025.
Timeline
- 21 September 2023 – Speaker Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert resigns as MP for Trelawny Southern.
- 26 February 2024 – local elections were held.
- 9 March 2025 – The Jamaica Patriotic Movement announced support for the People's National Party.
- 10 August 2025 – Prime Minister Holness announces nomination day to be on 18 August and elections to follow on 3 September 2025.
- 29 August 2025 – Advanced voting was held for members of the security forces and poll workers, with 57% turnout recorded.
Electoral system
The 63 members of the House of Representatives are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting. Voters must be 18 years and over and be a citizen of Jamaica or a Commonwealth citizen who is resident in Jamaica at the date of registration and has been a resident for at least twelve months prior to the date of registration.The leader of the party commanding a majority of support in the House of Representatives is called on by the Governor General to form a government as Prime Minister, while the leader of the largest group or coalition not in government becomes the Leader of the Opposition.
Campaign
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the date of the election at a JLP party meeting held on 10 August 2025 at Half Way Tree.The election was decided in marginal seats. Among the JLP's campaign pledges was the doubling of the current minimum wage of J$16,000 to J$32,000 per 40-hour workweek, while the PNP included increasing the income tax threshold from J$1.5 million to J$3.5 million as part of its promises.