Name the date for elections, business leaders urge Prime Minister Simpson Miller

Jamaica's business leaders are urging Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to end the uncertainty concerning the holding of general elections, by announcing the date, in light of fresh speculating that the expected announcement, in time for a December election, might not materialise after all.

William Mahfood, President of  the Private Sector Organization of  Jamaica (PSOJ), who has been saying for weeks that the uncertainty concerning the date of the elections is bad for business, has again warned that this is counter-productive as, according to him,  it causes confusion and will hurt the economy.
   
He declared on Friday that Mrs. Simpson Miller needs to state whether the elections will be held this year.

"Especially now, as we approach the holiday season, small businesses and retailers require a lot more stability to be able to conduct their business, and consumers to go about their normal course of business, as they prepare for the holiday," he said.

Accordingly, he said, the country should be told "categorically" if there will be an election this year.

Chamber of Commerce too

Warren McDonald, President of  the Jamaica Chamber of  Commerce (JCC), also voiced his organization's own concern about the state of uncertainty on Friday, warning there could be some economic fallout.
    
Mr. McDonald disclosed that several business operators have put plans on hold, in light of  the utterances from the Prime Minister that supporters should get ready for elections.

"This has provided a diversion... to business," he said, adding that "everybody is focusing on the elections, and decisions have been put on hold, pending these elections."

"To hear that it may not be this year again will just lengthen this period of uncertainty, and certainly won't be a positive for the economy," he said.

Fixed election date?

Mr. Mahfood also reiterated the view that a fixed election date must be seriously considered.

"As a part of any normal economy, and any normal environment, fixed election dates are a way for businesses and the private sector; the country, basically, to plan what to do prior to and post election, etc.," he said.

The governing People's National Party has been in election campaign mode for the last two months, approximately, raising expectations of the imminent announcement of a date for the holding of fresh elections, possibly before the end of the year.

The window of opportunity for a 2015 poll is rapidly narrowing, however, heightening the uncertainty in business circles and the society, generally.

General elections are not constitutionally due for another year, but under the Jamaican constitution, the prime minister is free to call fresh elections at any time short of the five-year limit.