The sixth General Parliamentary Elections were held in Jamaica on 21 February 1967 for all 53 seats in the House of Representatives. The number of seats was increased from 45 prior to the election.

Electoral System

The 53 members of the House of Representatives are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting. There is no fixed election date in effect in Jamaica at this time; hence, the choice of election date is the prerogative of the Prime Minister.

The Representation of the People Act permits the candidacy of voters above the age of 21. Any Commonwealth citizen residing in Jamaica can vote in the election if they are older than 18 years. To be included on the ballot, a nomination must include the signatures of at least ten eligible voters from the same constituency. The nomination form must then be submitted during a four-hour period on nomination day.

Political Parties & Candidates

A total of 114 candidates contested the election. The People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) each presented full slates of 45 candidates. There were also four candidates from minor parties and four independent candidates.

Background

Donald Sangster, as head of government, called election for February 21.

Results

The JLP won 33 of 53 seats with 62.3% of the votes, while the PNP took 18 seats with 37.7% of the votes. 81.46% of the electorate voted. n. Donald Sangster became the second Prime Minister.

In March he became seriously ill and died in April 1967. The Rt. Hon. Hugh Shearer succeeded him as the third Prime Minister.

In 1969, the PNP chose Michael Manley, son of Norman Manley, as the new leader of the party.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout was 82.24%.