189 candidates to contest general election on Sept 3 

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A total of 189 candidates have been nominated to contest Jamaica’s General Election, set for September 3, 2025.

Nominations were held on Monday, August 18, at designated centres islandwide between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Both major political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP), will contest all 63 constituencies.

The Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP) has entered candidates in 47 constituencies, while seven nominees will represent the United Independents’ Congress (UIC).

Another nine candidates will run as independents across constituencies in St Thomas, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St Catherine, and St Andrew.

Of the 189 candidates overall, 136 are men and 53 are women.

Meanwhile, nominations were also completed for Local Government by-elections in Denham Town, Chancery Hall, and Olympic Gardens, which will be held on the same day as the General Election.

Six candidates equally split between men and women have been nominated, representing the JLP and the PNP.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) says it has now shifted focus to final preparations for the polls.

These include the assignment of symbols to independent candidates, the printing of ballots, distribution of election supplies, and the preparation of polling stations.

Special Services Voting Day is scheduled for Friday, August 29, ahead of the main election day on Wednesday, September 3.