Parliament of Jamaica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parliament of Jamaica |
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|---|---|
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
| Leadership | |
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Elizabeth II
Since 06 August 1962 |
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Patrick L. Allen
Since 26 February 2009 |
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Speaker of the House of Representatives
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Hon. Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, JLP
Since 15 September 2020 |
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President of the Senate
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Sen. the Hon.Thomas Tavares-Finson CD, QC, JLP
Since 10 March 2016 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 84 21 Senators 63 Members of Parliament |
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Senate political groups
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Government (13)
Official Opposition (8)
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House of Representatives political groups
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Government (49)
Official Opposition (14)
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| Elections | |
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Senate voting system
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Appointed by Governor-General on advice of the Prime Minister (13) and Leader of the Opposition (8) |
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House of Representatives voting system
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First-past-the-post |
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House of Representatives last election
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3 September 2020 |
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House of Representatives next election
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2025 |
| Meeting place | |
| George William Gordon House, Kingston, Jamaica | |
| Website | |
| http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/ | |
The Parliament of Jamaica is the main group that makes laws for the country. It helps decide how Jamaica is run. This important group has three parts: the Crown (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate (whose members are chosen), and the House of Representatives (whose members are voted for by the people).
Contents
What Is Jamaica's Parliament?
The Parliament of Jamaica is the country's law-making body. It's like a big team that works together to create rules and decisions for everyone in Jamaica. This system helps make sure the government listens to the people and acts fairly.
The Senate: Jamaica's Upper House
The Senate is often called the Upper House. It has 21 members called senators. These senators are chosen by the Governor-General. The Governor-General gets advice from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition when picking senators. The Senate checks new laws and ideas before they become official.
The House of Representatives: People's Voices
The House of Representatives is known as the Lower House. It has 63 members, who are called Members of Parliament (MPs). People in Jamaica vote directly for these MPs. Each MP represents a specific area of the country called a constituency. MPs are elected for five-year terms. They are chosen using a system called "first-past-the-post." This means the candidate who gets the most votes in their area wins, even if they don't get more than half of all the votes.
Where Does Parliament Meet?
The Parliament of Jamaica meets at a special building called Gordon House. It is located at 81 Duke Street in Kingston. This building was finished in 1960. It was named in honor of George William Gordon, a Jamaican hero who fought for people's rights.
See also
In Spanish: Parlamento de Jamaica para niños
