Kingston, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that a by-election will take place in North East St Ann on September 30, 2024. The announcement follows the resignation of Marsha Smith, who served as the Member of Parliament for the constituency.
In an impactful move, Matthew Samuda, currently a Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, has stepped down from his ministerial and senatorial positions to facilitate his nomination as the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) candidate for the upcoming by-election. This decision will be formalized during the nomination day on September 11.
Prime Minister Holness acknowledged the significance of Samuda’s resignation, emphasizing that it paves the way for the JLP to maintain its tradition of strong representation in North East St Ann, a seat previously held by the party’s stalwart, Shahine Robinson, for two decades.
“Matthew Samuda has been an instrumental part of my administration and his transition to the lower house is a strategic move to sustain the growth and development agenda for the constituency,” Holness remarked.
Robinson’s successor, Marsha Smith, resigned her post on Monday, setting the stage for this noteworthy political transition. Smith’s departure was made effective immediately, prompting the timely announcement of the by-election by the Prime Minister.
Samuda, a prominent figure within the JLP, expressed his readiness and commitment to serve the people of North East St Ann, vowing to bring enhanced focus and energy to the constituency should he win the seat.
“As we head into this important by-election, I am fully dedicated to ensuring that the needs and aspirations of the residents of North East St Ann are met with the utmost diligence and urgency,” Samuda said.
Should Samuda secure the seat in the by-election, he is expected to resume his ministerial duties, thereby delivering continuity and stability in the governmental operations of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.
This by-election symbolizes a crucial moment for the JLP as they strive to retain their influence in a historically significant constituency. All eyes are set on September 30, when the voters of North East St Ann will cast their ballots to determine their next parliamentary representative.
For now, the political atmosphere remains charged with anticipation as the nomination day approaches, promising an intriguing electoral showdown in the weeks to come.
