Loop News Jamaica
August 16, 2020

ELECTION WATCH: Political debates scheduled for August 25, 27 and 29

LOOP NEWS CREATED : 16 AUGUST 2020GENERAL ELECTION

File photo of Prime Minister Andrew Holness (right) and Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Phillips, cordially greeting each other at a national civic function. That level of cordiality is, however, expected to be significantly absent when the two square off in closing the 2020 national political debates on August 29.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNING JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY (JLP) AND THE OPPOSITION PEOPLE’S NATIONAL PARTY (PNP) ARE TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THREE 90-MINUTE DEBATES AHEAD OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 3.

THE JAMAICA DEBATES COMMISSION (JDC) HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DATES SET ASIDE FOR THE EVENTS ARE TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 29.
THE FIRST DEBATE IS TO COVER SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE COUNTRY, WHILE THE SECOND IS TO ADDRESS FINANCIAL MATTERS.

THE THIRD AND FINAL DEBATE WILL BE BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER ANDREW HOLNESS AND OPPOSITION LEADER, DR PETER PHILLIPS.
FOR THE TWO GROUP DEBATES, THE JDC SAID IT WILL ANNOUNCE THE LIST OF DEBATERS, HOSTS AND QUESTIONERS CLOSER TO THE EVENTS. QUESTIONS ARE TO BE POSED BY JOURNALISTS, INCLUDING BEING TAKEN TAKEN FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.

ALL THE DEBATES ARE TO BEGIN AT 9 PM ON THE RESPECTIVE DATES, AND BE AIRED ON RADIO, TELEVISION AND ONLINE.
BASED ON A COIN TOSS BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH PARTIES ON SATURDAY, DEBATERS FOR THE PNP ARE TO DELIVER THE FIRST OF THE OPENING STATEMENTS IN ALL THREE DEBATES, AND THE JLP'S REPRESENTATIVES ARE TO DELIVER THE FINAL OF THE CLOSING STATEMENTS IN ALL THREE DEBATES.

MEANWHILE, THE JDC HAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE OF THE HEALTH PROTOCOLS AND RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE DUE TO COVID-19, THE CUSTOMARY STUDIO AUDIENCE WILL BE ABSENT THIS

TIME AROUND. HOWEVER, EACH SIDE IS ALLOWED A TEAM OF THREE ON-SIGHT ADVISORS.
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