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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says that her administration will extend the "hand of participation" to everyone who, wishes to play a role in the country's development. "Jamaicans in the Diaspora will be given every opportunity to contribute and to be respected equally as Jamaicans at home," she stated during her swearing-in ceremony today at King’s House....

Members of the public who wish to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Prime Minister designate, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, on January 5, are asked to be seated by 3:00 p.m., on the directions of the ushers. Mrs. Simpson Miller, the nation’s 7th Prime Minister, is being installed for the second time. The ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 p.m....

All is in place for schools across the island to be re-opened on Monday, January 9, 2012. Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Grace McLean, told JIS News that all the necessary grants and subventions have been posted to the accounts of institutions, to allow for the beginning of the Easter term. "We are advising school administrators to...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, today (January 3), received the official results of last week’s general election from the Director of  Elections, Orrette Fisher. This clears the way for  Prime Minister designate, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, to be formally sworn in as Prime Minister. “Following the completion of the official count of ballots cast...

Information and Public Service Minister, Senator Arthur Williams says that all Government employees have now received the final tranche of outstanding salary payments due to them to complete the payment of the 7 percent salary. The increase became effective on April 1 this year. He said that the Government had promised to settle payments for the period April 1, 2011...

Voters are being reminded of their legal obligation to protect the secrecy of their ballot come Election Day, December 29, 2011. Speaking with JIS News recently, Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), Professor Errol Miller, stressed that the ballot is secret, as persons vote behind a screen, and no one is privy to their choice. “You are given...

KINGSTON — Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), Professor Errol Miller, says the realignment of constituency boundaries and polling divisions has served to dispel any suggestion of gerrymandering. Gerrymandering refers to manipulating an electoral area, usually by altering its boundaries, in order to gain an unfair political advantage in an election. Speaking recently with JIS News, Professor Miller...

KINGSTON — Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), Professor Errol Miller, says Jamaica can be proud of its electoral system, which has improved significantly since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944 and continues to advance through the leadership of the ECJ. “The reform of the country’s electoral process is one of the great accomplishments of the Jamaican people in...

KINGSTON — Director of Elections, Orrett Fisher, is advising the disabled community that they have rights, as do other electors, to get assistance in order to vote on Election Day at polling stations. Speaking at the recent Monthly Rap Session organized by the Combined Disabilities Association (CDA) and the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), at the Industrial Disputes...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that government has to become more efficient in its operations and he will shortly be outlining the policies for private/public partnerships that will lead to job creation. Mr. Holness was speaking as a press conference in Kingston on Wednesday December 14, 2011. “Governments have to refocus on making their operations efficient, frugal, and sound. Governments...

The Broadcasting Commission and the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), the media and the political parties have forged a voluntary agreement to cease the broadcasting and publication of advertisements and opinion polls for one full day leading up to the December 29 General Election. The agreement was announced Wednesday December 14, 2011 at a press briefing, convened by the Broadcasting...

KINGSTON — The Management Institute for National Development (MIND) is to undertake the development of a Public Service Learning Framework, as part of the institution’s efforts to transform its operation and services it delivers. Speaking at the institution’s 12th Annual Graduation Ceremony at the Old Hope Road, St. Andrew campus on December 10, Chief Executive Officer, Ruby Brown, noted that...