Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has secured a rare third term in office after his Labour Party emerged victorious in Wednesday’s parliamentary elections.
Preliminary results from the Electoral Commission show the Labour Party won 34 seats, surpassing the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), which claimed 29 seats. The PNP candidate, Mark Golding, has conceded defeat.
Holness, 53, campaigned on pledges to lower the income tax rate from 25% to 15%, while Golding had proposed raising the income tax threshold.
Many voters also credited Holness with reducing crime, as the murder rate in Jamaica fell to its lowest level in 25 years during the first quarter of 2025.
Some of the measures, including states of emergency in certain areas, drew criticism, but the improved sense of safety is believed to have bolstered support for the incumbent.
Economic performance played a central role in the election campaign.
Holness highlighted a low unemployment rate of 3.3% as a key achievement, while the PNP criticized the government for alleged mismanagement of public funds, including the purchase of second-hand school buses, and questioned the Prime Minister’s integrity regarding his income and assets declaration.
Holness denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the claims as a “distraction” from his government’s accomplishments.
Voter turnout was relatively low at 39.5%, but the Organization of American States (OAS) observer mission commended the electorate for being “calm and orderly with a sense of civic maturity and pride.”
Following his victory, Holness expressed gratitude to voters, calling it a “historic third term” and thanking Jamaicans for their trust, faith, and belief in his vision for “a stronger, safer, more prosperous Jamaica.”