Too Close to Call: EOJ Urged to Caution Media After Mainstream Media Mislabels Central Kingston Result

The integrity of Jamaica’s election coverage has come under fire after mainstream media prematurely declared the Central Kingston seat for Steve McGregor of the People’s National Party (PNP). The newspaper, particularly, the Jamaica Gleaner, reported that the PNP had “flipped” the constituency — only for the final count to prove otherwise.

When the ballots were tallied, Donovan Williams of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) held on to his Central Kingston seat, securing 4,832 votes compared to McGregor’s 4,753 — a razor-thin margin of just 79 votes.

“Too Close to Call” Ignored

This incident has reignited concerns over how the media reports on elections, particularly in constituencies where the results are separated by only a handful of votes. Traditionally, in jurisdictions where democracy and media professionalism are held to the highest standard, such races are labelled “too close to call” until an official declaration is made.

Instead, Jamaica’s mainstream media rushed to report a flip in one of the island’s most closely watched constituencies, misleading the public and fueling unnecessary political tension.

Calls for EOJ Intervention

Observers are now urging the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) to step in with clear guidelines for media houses. The call is for the EOJ to caution against premature declarations when margins are slim, to ensure that electoral reporting does not erode public trust in the democratic process.

Accuracy, not speed, must guide election reporting — especially in close races that determine the balance of power and shape national confidence in electoral integrity.

The Bigger Picture

Central Kingston was seen as a symbolic battleground in this election. The false call by a leading media house, only to be overturned by the official count, has not only embarrassed the press but also raised important questions about the role of journalism in safeguarding democracy.

In an era where public trust is fragile, this episode is a reminder that the media must uphold the highest standards of responsibility. When just a few votes decide a constituency, no seat should be “called” until the official count is confirmed.