The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is preparing to commence fieldwork to establish the new boundaries for St. Catherine.

This is part of work being done for Portmore to become Jamaica’s fifteenth parish.

Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown gave the update at today’s meeting of the Constituency Boundaries Committee of Parliament.

He said the ECJ has written to the Ministry of Local Government to get the new boundaries for the redefined St. Catherine, and this will be gazetted.

Mr. Brown explained that GIS technology is being used and an electoral map will be generated.

The Director of Elections stated that a Parish Boundary Forum (PBF) will be established and supported by a Parish Boundary Advisory Committee (PBAC).

Mr. Brown said the PBF will meet soon, and the PBAC will be tasked with beginning fieldwork—realigning the constituency boundaries, re-configuring the electoral divisions, and writing the constituency and polling division descriptions.

Mr. Brown stated that the Commission believes these steps will ensure the new electoral map is accurately defined and implemented, both geographically and administratively.

Meantime, Mr. Brown outlined that the major political parties will participate in the process to determine the various electoral boundaries in St. Catherine and Portmore.

He explained that the parties will be required to submit written proposals.

He also said, it is hoped that an agreement can be reached by all members of the Parish Boundary Advisory Committee.

He noted that if this fails to happen, there is a process in place to guide the way forward.

The Director of Elections added that the acceptance of Parliament will be sought following the completion of the process.

The ECJ is scheduled to return to the Committee in May.