Jamaica's electoral process has been uninterrupted in for almost fifty years. Two political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP) have dominated here in one of the world's most competitive systems. More than 20 fringe parties have tried to woo voters, but only the latest, the National Democratic Movement (NDM), seems to be gaining ground with an electorate that has traditionally been committed to a two-party state. Citizens of Jamaica over 18 years old or Commonwealth citizens resident in Jamaica for at least one year prior to the election and being also 18 years old is eligible to vote. The law prohibits from voting only those persons convicted of certain criminal acts, those who are insane and those who hold certain positions in the electoral process. There is also a legal provision for the assistance of illiterate persons to vote. The right to vote is universal, equal, secret and direct.

Jamaica's elections are called by the government of the day and must be held within three months of the dissolution of Parliament which, itself, has a life-span of five years. Administratively, the country is currently divided into 60 constituencies, each having one representative in Parliament. Constituencies increased from 32 in 1944 to 45 for the 1959 elections, then to 53 in 1967 and in 1976 to its present number.

ELECTION TIME LINE

1944 - Jamaica's first experience with voting took place December 12, 1944, by which time the country had been granted full adult suffrage for the election to the house of representatives. Led by Alexander Bustamante, the JLP's 32 candidates won 22 seats and the PNP which contested in 19 constituencies won five. Independents ran in 29 constituencies and won five seats. Significantly, Bustamante won his seat in Kingston but PNP leader Norman Manley lost his in St. Andrew.

1949 - On December 20, 1949, the JLP won this election polling 42.7% of the vote in comparison to the PNP's 43.5%. However, the PNP only won 13 seats while the JLP won 17 seats. Again, Independents ran - this time in 22 seats. In addition two small parties. The Agricultural Industrial Party and the United Party of Jamaica had representatives, polled some votes but won no seats. This time Manley won his seat and Bustamante who had shifted to Clarendon constituency won his.

1955 - This election was contested on January 12, 1955. This time the PNP polled 50.5% of the vote and won 18 seats while the JLP polled 39.1% of the votes and won 14 seats. As such, both parties won all the seats in the House of Representatives. Eleven independents ran and four minor parties fielded representatives.

1959 - Contested on July 28, 1959, this election was strictly a two-party affair. Forty-five constituencies were established as Jamaica became fully responsible for its internal government. The council of ministers was renamed the cabinet and the chief ministers was renamed Premier. Of the 45 seats the PNP took 29 with 64.4% of the votes to the JLP's 16 with 35.6% of the votes.

Prior to this in 1958, Manley had taken the country into federation with the other British islands in the Caribbean. In a federal election of the 17 seats allotted to Jamaica, the JLP took 12 to the PNP's 5. Significantly, neither Bustamante nor Manley ran for the Federal Parliament.

In 1961 a referendum was held to determine Jamaica's feeling on the federation as the PNP was not particularly enthusiastic and the JLP was in support of a withdrawal from the federation. On September 19, Jamaica faced the question: "should Jamaica remain in the West Indies ?" 54.1% of the people voting voted "No" while 45.9% voted "Yes". Only 62% of the electorate participated.

1962 - Parliamentary election took place on April 10, 1962 and copied the voting pattern from the referendum. For the first time, the two major parties contested all constituencies. A new party, the People's Political Party contested 16 constituencies mostly in Kingston and St. Andrew and independent candidates ran in 8 constituencies.

The JLP won the election with 26 seats and 50.04% of the votes and the PNP took 19 seats with 48.6% of the votes.

Jamaica gained independence on August 6, 1962.

1967 - The next parliamentary election was contested on February 21, 1967. Prior to this the constituencies had been increased from 45 to 53. The JLP won 33 constituencies with 62.3% of the votes while the PNP took 18 with 37.7% of the votes.

By the end of this electoral period, Norman Manley's son, Michael, was leader of the People's National Party. Hugh Shearer was leader of the the Jamaica Labour Party and Prime Minister consequent on the death of Sir Donald Sangster.

1972 - Contested on February 29, 1972, these elections were won by the PNP with 69.8% of the vote to the JLP's 16 seats with 30.2% of the votes.

1976 - Prior to these elections which were held on December 15 the constituencies were increased to 60 seats. The PNP took 47 seats with 78.3% of the votes while the JLP won 13 seats with 21.7% of the votes.

1980 - Parliamentary elections were contested on October 30, 1980. The JLP took 51 seats with 85% of the votes while the PNP won 9 seats with 15% of the votes.

1983 - These elections were contested on December 15, 1983. The PNP boycotted these elections and so the JLP represented all 60 constituencies in Parliament.

1989 - Contested on December 9, 1989, these elections were won by the PNP with 45 seats and 75% of the votes to the JLP's 15 seats and 25% of the votes. At the end of March 1992, Michael Manley demitted office and P.J. Patterson took over as leader of the PNP.

1993 - Voting took place in sixty (60) Constituencies. 669,164 persons voted, out a potential 1,002571 eligible electors. a 66.74% turn out was recorded. The People's National Party secured 40.07% of the votes cast, and 532 seats. The Jamaica Labour Party secured 26.28% of the votes cast, and 8 seats. The independents and the Republican party secured votes, but no seats.

The 1993 election was marred with violence in 14 constituencies, before and on the actual polling day. Dennis Brooks, the Returning Officer, St. Catherine Central, was killed by gunmen three days before Election Day. On election Day ballot boxes were reported stolen in 5 Constituencies.

An important feature of the 1993 Elections was that Ministers of Religion volunteered to serve as Supervisor and Couriers on Election day in some volatile areas.