Prime Minister Holness Sets September 3 as Date for Jamaica’s Next General Election (VIDEO)

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that Jamaicans will head to the polls on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The long-anticipated declaration came on Sunday night, August 10, during a massive Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rally at Half-Way Tree, where thousands of supporters gathered in a sea of green to hear their leader set the stage for the upcoming political showdown.

The announcement follows Saturday’s statement that Holness would reveal the date during the rally, ending months of speculation. The JLP is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in office, having won the last two general elections.

The evening’s programme saw several Members of Parliament and party officials addressing the crowd before Holness took the stage at approximately 8:30 p.m. His entrance was met with roaring cheers and the waving of flags, with the Prime Minister being supported by family members, including his wife, mother, and sisters. He also acknowledged his father, who he said was watching the proceedings from St. Elizabeth.

Holness opened his speech by reflecting on his connection to ordinary Jamaicans, citing his upbringing and shared struggles. “They know they can identify with me, as I identify with them,” he said, describing how strangers often show him love when he meets them on the streets.

Touching on his administration’s record, Holness began with crime, recalling a personal childhood experience in which he and his mother were caught in the vicinity of an active shooting while walking home from work. He expressed condolences to the family of a police officer in St. James whose wife and son were murdered on September 9, vowing that law enforcement would track down those responsible.

While acknowledging Jamaica’s stubbornly high crime rate, which has gone below 1,000 murders annually, Holness described the decline in homicides as a hard-fought achievement. He reaffirmed his ambition to make Jamaica the safest country in the region, despite its current reputation as one of the most violent.

The Prime Minister then shifted focus to his government’s housing initiatives, highlighting the joy such projects have brought to many Jamaicans. Public transportation was another major talking point, especially in light of ongoing issues surrounding imported school buses, with some being too long for certain roads and the doors on the right side and not the left side. Holness claimed the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is now “the most efficient it has ever been,” noting it has saved over a billion dollars in recent years.

In a crowd-pleasing announcement, he declared, “When September starts, we will give free transportation to all school children, from September to October.” The pledge sparked a thunderous reaction from supporters. Holness also promised that “more buses are to come,” positioning the island toward what he described as a “first-world type” transportation system.

Looking ahead, Holness outlined his commitments for the next term, stating that the necessary financing for his plans was already secured. He touted Jamaica’s lowest unemployment rate in history, now at 3.3%, as evidence of his administration’s economic management.

Environmental reform was another focus. Holness addressed the long-standing problem with the Riverton City landfill, which has been notorious for hazardous fires affecting air quality in Kingston and surrounding areas. He announced plans for a new sanitary waste disposal facility, increased recycling efforts, and energy production from waste.

The Prime Minister also took aim at the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), warning that if they assumed leadership now, they would “run the economy down.”

Nearly an hour into his speech, Holness unveiled another major promise: writing off 50% of outstanding water bills owed by many Jamaicans. He proclaimed, “The Jamaica Labour Party is the best-performing government of any time,” pointing to the administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent passage of Hurricane Beryl as proof of resilience.

Finally, Holness built to the long-awaited announcement. “I have advised the Governor General of my decision,” he declared, pausing for effect. “Nomination Day will be Monday, August 18, and the general election date is fixed at Wednesday, September 3.”

The crowd erupted in celebration, marking the official start of what is expected to be one of the most competitive election campaigns in recent Jamaican history. With the date now set, both the JLP and the PNP are preparing to rally their bases, sharpen their manifestos, and fight for the hearts and votes of the Jamaican people.

Watch the rally below: