Jamaica
House of Representatives
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Oversight
Oversight tools
- Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
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Yes
Sources: Senate and House of Representatives (Powers and Privileges) Act, Section 5
- Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
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Yes
Sources: Senate and House of Representatives (Powers and Privileges) Act, Section 5
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Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
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No
- Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
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Yes
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Number of written questions asked, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered.
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9(2023)
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Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered
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4(2023)
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Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of written questions answered by the number of questions that were asked.
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44.4%(2023)
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Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments. The aims and objectives of parliamentary inquiries cover a large spectrum: from a general examination of an issue of public interest to an investigative inquiry into a specific topic, the results of which may have penal implications.
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Yes
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Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
The total number of inquiries/investigations can include those carried out by any committee (permanent or ad-hoc) or specialized body within parliament. In the case an inquiry/investigation spans more than one year it is ounted once in the year it was initiated. The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments.
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16(2023)
Notes: Inquiries may be carried out jointly with the Senate Joint Select Committees (e.g. six of the sixteen inquiries in 2023 were joint)
Head of State and/or Government
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Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
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Parliament does not play a role
Sources: Jamaica Constitution, Section 70
- The Head of Government is also the Head of State
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No
- Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
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Parliament does not play a role
Sources: Jamaica Constitution, Section 68
Impeachment and confidence motions
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Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
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No
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Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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No information available
Impeachment procedure
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There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
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The Head of Government
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Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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Lower chamber
Sources: Jamaica Constitution, Section 71
No confidence processes
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There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
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The whole GovernmentIndividual members of the Executive
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Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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Lower chamber
Sources: BY convention following the practice of the UK House of Commons (see May’s Parliamentary Practice, 24th Edition, page 344)