As most boardies may remember, after the JLP won a narrow majority in the last election (2007), a challenge was made to four JLP members of Parliament as a result of these persons having dual citizenship, which it was contended violated the Jamaican constitution.

These challenges have been in the court system since then. On Friday, the Court of Appeals upheld the Chief Justice's ruling that MP Vaz was not qualified for his seat because of the dual citizenship (JA and US) and ordered that a new election be held for the seat.

The PNP had sought to have its candidate declared victor, so they were somewhat disappointed that there will be a new election, but overall pretty estatic.

Vaz has now rennounced his US citizenship and will be on the ballot again. I have to agree that it seems unfair that if he was not qualified to run in the first place, that the second place candidate was not simply declared the victor. Now Vaz, who has been serving in Parliament, will get a second chance. Hopefully, the voters will not return him to office.

The PNP has called on PM Golding to call elections in the other three challenged seat, but Golding has indicated that the legal process needs to make that determination and he is not rushing to do anything.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090228/lead/lead2.html