Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby has chastised Jamaica Labour Party leader Dr. Andrew Holness for reportedly seeking to deceive citizens about the by election for the Seivwright Gardens division.

Mayor Swaby was reacting to comments by Dr. Holness that the Mayor was seemingly unwilling to set the by election.

Mayor Swaby said the Prime Minister knows better and also knows that there a certain steps that have to be followed for a by election at the local government level.

He said a possible date for the by election is being discussed with the Electoral Office.

Seivwright Gardens had been initially announced by Dr. Holness as being among some for which by elections will be held alongside the general election on September 3.

However, at the time of the announcement, the seat was not vacant because JLP councillor Delroy Williams had not yet resigned.

He tendered his resignation the day after.

Since the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation is on recess the resignation has not yet been formally tabled.

However, Mayor Swaby has undertaken other steps legally required upon the resignation of a councillor, to include, publication in local media and consulting with the Electoral Office.

The Peoples National Party had criticised the Prime Minister for calling a by election for a non vacant seat and also expressed its support of Mayor Swaby in his bid to follow the legal requirements.