1980 Jamaican general election

1980 Jamaican general election

30 October 1980
All 60 seats in the House of Representatives 31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	86.91% ( 1.70pp)
First party Second party   Leader Edward Seaga Michael Manley Party JLP PNP Leader since 23 November 1974 1969 Leader's seat Kingston Western Port Royal Last election 43.23%, 13 seats 56.77%, 47 seats Seats won 51 9 Seat change 38 38 Popular vote 502,115 417,768 Percentage 58.88% 41.05% Swing 15.65 15.72 pp
Prime Minister before election Michael Manley PNP Prime Minister after election Edward Seaga JLP

General elections were held in Jamaica on 30 October 1980. The balance of power in the 60-seat Jamaican House of Representatives was dramatically-shifted. Prior to the vote, the People's National Party (PNP), led by Prime Minister Michael Manley, had a 47–13 majority over the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), led by Edward Seaga. With the loss by 38 PNP incumbents to their JLP challengers, Seaga's party captured a 51–9 majority and Seaga replaced Manley as Prime Minister of Jamaica. Voter turnout was 87%.

Conduct

The elections were marked by gun violence, exacerbated by economic pressure related to IMF austerity, lay-offs of public workers, and blackouts due to a national electric strike. 153 elderly women died in the Eventide Home fire on 20 May, which was suspected, but not proven, to have been started by politically-motivated arsonists.

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Jamaica Labour Party	502,115	58.88	51	+38
	People's National Party	350,064	41.05	9	–38
	Independents	527	0.06	0	New
Total		852,706	100.00	60	0
Valid votes		852,706	99.07
Invalid/blank votes		8,040	0.93
Total votes		860,746	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		990,417	86.91
Source: Nohlen