The governing Jamaica Labour Party, JLP yesterday used  its majority in the Lower House to pass the bill that will make Portmore the country’s fifteenth parish.

The bill will next go to the Upper House for deliberation, where it will again be met with objections from the Peoples National Party, PNP.

Twenty-eight (28) Members of Parliament in the House of Representatives voted for The Act to   Amend the Counties and Parishes Act to Declare the City Municipality of  Portmore the Fifteenth Parish of Jamaica.

10 MPs  voted against  while 24 were absent.

During the debate on  the matter, Opposition Spokesman with Special Responsibility for Affairs Concerning Portmore Fitz Jackson declared that if the amendment is approved, the next PNP Administration will repeal it.

Meanwhile,  Opposition Leader  Mark Golding pointed out that the amended legislation will result in the removal of the right of voters to directly elect a mayor.