Constitution of Jamaica 1962, as amended to 2023
Political Rights and Association
  • English

    2. Subject to sections 18 and 49, and to subsections (9) and (12) of this section, and save only as may be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society-
    a. this Chapter10 guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in subsections (3) and (6) of this section and in sections 14, 15, 16 and 17; and
    b. Parliament shall pass no law and no organ of the State shall take any action which abrogates, abridges or infringes those rights.
    3. The rights and freedoms referred to in subsection (2) are as follows-

    e. the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association;

    m. the right of every citizen of Jamaica-
    i. who is qualified to be registered as an elector for elections to the House of Representatives, to be so registered; and
    ii. who is so registered, to vote in free and fair elections;
    … (Sec. 13)
Political Rights and Association
  • English
    1. Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section a person shall be qualified to be registered as an elector for elections to the House of Representatives if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he is-
    a. a citizen of Jamaica resident in Jamaica at the date of registration, or
    b. a Commonwealth citizen (other than a citizen of Jamaica) who is resident in Jamaica at the date of registration and who has been so resident for at least twelve months immediately preceding that date,
    and has attained the prescribed age.

    3. In this section, “the prescribed age” means-
    a. the age of twenty-one years, or
    b. such other age being less than the age of twenty-one years but not less than the age of eighteen years that may from time to time be prescribed by a special Act; and “a special Act” means an Act of Parliament the Bill for which has been passed by both Houses and at the final vote thereon in each House has been supported by the votes of a majority of all the members of that House.
    … (Sec. 37)
Head of State
  • English
    There shall be a Governor-General of Jamaica who shall be appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty’s pleasure and who shall be Her Majesty’s representative in Jamaica. (Sec. 27)
Head of State
  • English
    1. The executive authority of Jamaica is vested in Her Majesty.
    2. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive authority of Jamaica may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor-General either directly or through officers subordinate to him.
    … (Sec. 68)
Government
  • English
    1. There shall be in and for Jamaica a Cabinet which shall consist of the Prime Minister and such number of other Ministers (not being less than eleven) selected from among Ministers appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 70 of this Constitution, as the Prime Minister may from time to time consider appropriate.
    2. The Cabinet shall be the principal instrument of policy and shall be charged with the general direction and control of the Government of Jamaica and shall be collectively responsible therefor to Parliament.
    3. Not less than two nor more than four of the Ministers selected pursuant to subsection (1) shall be persons who are members of the Senate. (Sec. 69)
Government
  • English
    1. Whenever the Governor-General has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he, acting in his discretion, shall appoint the member of the House of Representatives who, in his judgment, is best able to command the confidence of a majority of the members of that House and shall, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint from among the members of the two Houses such number of other Ministers as the Prime Minister may advise.
    … (Sec. 70)
Legislature
  • English
    There shall be a Parliament of Jamaica which shall consist of Her Majesty, a Senate and a House of Representatives. (Sec. 34)
Legislature
  • English
    1. The Senate shall consist of twenty-one persons who being qualified for appointment as Senators in accordance with this Constitution have been so appointed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
    2. Thirteen Senators shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, by instrument under the Broad Seal.
    3. The remaining eight Senators shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, by instrument under the Broad Seal. (Sec. 35)
Legislature
  • English
    The House of Representatives shall consist of persons who, being qualified for election as members in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, have been so elected in the manner provided by or under any law for the time being in force in Jamaica and who shall be known as “Members of Parliament”. (Sec. 36)
Legislature
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of section 40 of this Constitution, any person, who at the date of his appointment or nomination for election-
    a. is a Commonwealth citizen of the age of twenty-one years or upwards; and
    b. has been ordinarily resident in Jamaica for the immediately preceding twelve months,
    shall be qualified to be appointed as a Senator or elected as a member of the House of Representatives and no other person shall be so qualified. (Sec. 37)
Legislature
  • English
    1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may make laws for the peace, order and good government of Jamaica.
    … (Sec. 48)
Links to all sites last visited 10 November 2023
2
Chapter II: Citizenship.
3
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
4
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
5
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
6
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
7
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
8
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
9
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
10
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
11
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
12
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
13
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
14
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
15
Chapter III: Chapter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.