Parliament’s constituency boundaries committee says it will be referring the Portmore parish matter to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

Last Friday, the court lifted an interim injunction in the matter, paving the way for it to be granted parish status.

It came after the peoples national party filed a lawsuit against the law recently passed by parliament and approved by the governor general, citing constitutional breaches, among other things.

The Supreme Court also indicated on Friday, that the act making Portmore the 15^th parish could only come into effect, after the completion of the procedure, outlined in the constitution.

During a meeting today, members of the constituency boundaries committee voted to refer the ruling to the ECJ.

The committee also voted to refer a copy of the boundaries of the proposed 15^th parish to the ECJ.

Chair of the committee Juliet Holness says by making the referrals the committee hopes to receive the consideration and advice of the ECJ.

She said she expects that the ECJ will respond by May 31.  

Meantime, Attorney General Dr. Derrick McKoy pointed out that the ECJ’s duty is to advise the constituency boundaries committee, which will then advise parliament.