Government of Jamaica

Jamaica became an independent nation on August 6, 1962. Jamaica is a

parliamentary democracy, based in a system of representative and responsible
government.
The form of government is that of a constitutional monarchy. Jamaica is a
unitary state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Constitution under which Jamaica assumed Independence in 1962 is
primarily based on British socio-political culture and is modelled on the
Westminster-Whitehall (British) system of government.
Citizens have the right to choose, in free elections, those who will govern the
country. Each citizen is subject to the rule of law, which means that the law of
the land is supreme and that all people are equal before the law.
The structure of the government of Jamaica is outlined in the ten chapters of the
Jamaica Constitution. Chapters are included on citizenship, fundamental rights
and freedoms, the Governor-General, Parliament, executive powers, the
Judicature, finance and the public service.
Monarch
The Queen is head of state, and on the advice of the Prime Minister, she
appoints a Governor-General to be her representative in Jamaica. The GovernorGeneral must have no affiliation to any political party.
Neither the Queen nor the Governor-General has any real authority in
conducting the administration of the country. Real legislative and executive
responsibilities rest with the elected representatives of the people.
The Governor-General
The Governor-General represents the Queen on ceremonial occasions such as
the opening of Parliament, the presentation of honours and military parades.
Under the Constitution, he is given to act in many matters e.g. in appointing and
disciplining officers of the civil service, in proroguing Parliament and so on, but
only in a few cases is he empowered to act entirely on his own discretion. The
Governor-General also exercises the prerogative of mercy on behalf of the
Queen.

In exercising the prerogative of mercy (including the power to grant pardon to

any person who has been sentenced to death), the Governor-General acts on
the advice of the Jamaican Privy Council.
Privy Council of Jamaica
The Privy Council of Jamaica consists of six members who are appointed by the
Governor-General, after consultation with the Prime Minister.
The functions of the Privy Council are usually limited to advising the GovernorGeneral on the exercise of mercy and the discipline of the civil service, local
government officers, and the police, in cases where appeals are made.
THE LEGISLATURE
Parliament
The Jamaican Parliament consists of two Houses the Senate, also called the
Upper House, and the House of Representatives, also known as the Lower House
and the Queen. The Governor-General represents the Queen in Parliament,
and his role is a formal one. Once a year, at the official opening of Parliament,
he delivers the Throne Speech. Beyond this, his parliamentary function is
limited to his formal assent to bills passed by the two Houses of Parliament.
The maximum life of Parliament is five years, at the end of which Parliament
must be dissolved and a general election held. However, the Prime Minister
may advise the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament at any time within the
five years and name the date for a general election. Also, Parliament must be
dissolved and a general election held if a majority of all the members of the
House of Representatives supports a no-confidence motion against the
Government.
Senate
The Senate is a nominated House made up of 21 senators. Thirteen senators
are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The
other eight are appointed on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.
Not more than four ministers can be appointed from the Senate, and they may
have portfolio responsibilities. The Senate usually functions as a review
chamber, considering bills passed by the House of Representatives. But the
Senate may also initiate legislation, except money bills. It cannot delay money
bills for more than one month nor any other Bill for more than seven months.
At the first meeting of a newly-appointed Senate, or when there is a vacancy,
senators elect a President and a Deputy President. A minister or parliamentary
secretary may not hold office as President or Deputy President.

House of Representatives
The House of Representatives may consist of 60 members (the maximum
allowed by the Constitution), elected by single-member constituencies on the
first-past-the-post basis.
The Government in power can only exist if it has the support of the majority of
the members of the House of Representatives.
In practice, most bills are initiated in the House of Representatives.
No Bill may become law unless it is passed by the majority of the members
present in the House. The quorum of the House is 16 in addition to the person
presiding.
The House of Representatives has control over the Governments finances.
Funds cannot be granted nor taxation levied without the approval of the House.
The Speaker
The Speaker of the House is formally elected by the members of the House of
Representatives from among their number, at the first sitting after each general election or
when there is a vacancy. Although the Speaker is usually a member of the ruling party, a
minority party member may be chosen. The Speaker rarely takes part in debate. His job is
to see that other members keep within the rules of the House, that the rights of the
Opposition members are protected, and that every member gets a fair hearing.
Leader of the House
The Leader of the House of Representatives is responsible for the direction of business in
the House. It is his job to see that time is provided for debate on various matters in the
House. In doing so, the Leader of the House consults the Opposition and seeks to reach an
agreement as to what business will be done in the House each day.
Members of Parliament
Any Commonwealth citizen 21 years of older, who has been domiciled in Jamaica for the 12
months preceding an election, may become a member of the House of Representatives if
elected. Among these who may not become members of the legislature are members of the
defence force, persons serving a foreign government, judges of the Supreme Court or Court
of Appeal, and persons holding or acting in public offices.

How a Bill Becomes Law

A Bill is an act of Parliament in draft, and no Bill can become law until it is approved by the
Houses of Parliament and receives the formal assent of the Governor-General.
Bills may be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but no Bill
involving finance can be first introduced in the Senate. Pubic Bills, designed to give effect
to Government policy, are introduced by Ministers or other officers of the Government.
Private Members Bills are introduced by any other member of the House, whether of the
governing party or of the Opposition.
After a Bill has been introduced in the House it must pass through several stages, known as
readings.
First Reading
At first reading no debate on the Bill is allowed. The short title of the Bill is read by the
Clerk of the House, the Bill is ordered to be printed and a day is appointed by the member in
charge of the Bill for the second reading.
Second Reading
The Bill is debated fully at the second reading. At the end of the debate a vote is taken.
Committee Stage
If the Bill passes its second reading it moves on to the committee stage. This committee
comprises the whole House unless the House refers the Bill to a Select Committee. At
this point, the Bill is considered in very close detail. Every clause is carefully examined, and
amendments to the Bill may then be moved and voted upon.
A Bill may not be rejected during the committee stage, as this power is reserved for the
House.
Report Stage
After the committee stage, there is the report stage, when the Speaker reports what has
happened to the Bill in committee, whether there have been amendments or not.

Third Reading
No amendments of a substantial nature may be made at the third reading; a Bill may be
accepted or rejected by means of a vote.
When a Bill is first passed by the House of Representatives, it is sent to the Senate, where it
goes through the same procedure as one which originated in the Lower House.
If the Senate disagrees with any aspect of the Bill and makes an amendment, the Bill is sent
back to the House of Representatives for consideration. If the House disagrees with the
Senates amendment, it informs the Senate, which is then asked to reconsider the Bill.
When agreement is reached and the Bill has been passed through all its stages in both
Houses, it requires only the Royal Assent to make it law. The Royal Assent is given by the
Governor-General.
Money Bills
Money Bills, which may be initiated only in the House of Representatives, deal with any
aspect of Governments finance, such as taxation, loans and audit of accounts.
The procedure for money bills differs from that for ordinary Bills. The revenue and
expenditure are settled in the following way. Government ministers put forward resolutions
stating what money will be spent and how. These estimates are debated by the House in
committee. When the various resolutions have been agreed to, they are incorporated into
Bills, which are passed in the usual way.
Prime Minister
When a new Government is elected, or when there is a vacancy for the office of Prime
Minister, the Governor-General appoints as Prime Minister the member of the House of
Representatives who, in the Governor-Generals judgement, is best able to command the
confidence of the majority of the members of that House. This is, in practice, the leader of
the majority party in the House.
The Prime Minister forms and presides over the Cabinet. He advises the Queen on the
appointment of the Governor-General and he advises the Governor-General on the

appointment of the six members of the Privy Council on the dissolution of Parliament and on
appointments of the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and the three
services commissions.
In the case of the appointments of the senior members of the judiciary and the services
commission, however, the Prime Ministers advice is given after consultation with the leader
of the Opposition.
The Prime Minister also nominates 13 of the 21 members of the Senate.
Cabinet
The Cabinet is the centre of the system of Government. It initiates Government policies and
programme, and is responsible for the general direction and control of Government.
The Cabinet must consist of the Prime Minister and not less that 11 other ministers (no
upper limit is specified). Not more than four ministers must be appointed from the Senate,
and they may have portfolio responsibilities. The other Cabinet ministers are appointed from
the House of Representatives.
Cabinet ministers may be assisted by ministers of state and parliamentary secretaries.
Each minister conducts the ordinary business of his ministry without referring to any other
minister. However, important matters, especially those which may become the subject of
discussion in Parliament, are brought before the Cabinet for discussion and decision.
Attorney General
The Attorney General is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime
Minister. He is the principal legal advisor to the Government of Jamaica. He is not
responsible for criminal prosecutions.
Ministries
The business of the Government of Jamaica is conducted by a number of ministries, each
headed by a minister, who is selected by the Prime Minister, who is selected from the
Houses of Parliament.

The Prime Minister has the overall responsibility and, except where specifically limited by
the Constitution, he has the power to make decisions without consultation with any other
sector of Parliament, including the Monarchy.
Each minister is allocated a central office, and each ministry is assigned specific
departments, statutory boards and agencies. Ministries may name committees to advise
them on specialised aspects of their responsibilities.
In ministries with widespread functions, persons with knowledge and experience in
particular subjects may be appointed to assist. There are two such categories of ministerial
assistant: Minister of State and Parliamentary Secretary.
Each ministry is administered by a senior civil servant, called a Permanent Secretary.
Some of his/her authority is delegated to heads of departments, assistant under-secretaries,
principal assistant secretaries and chief accountants. The Permanent Secretary is the
accountable officer for the ministry.
Departments
Ministries are divided into departments, which are co-ordinated in order to bring about the
effective running of the ministry.
Statutory Bodies
When a ministry is unable to supply local knowledge, the Government usually sets up a
statutory body which takes care of these demands.
A statutory is a board set up by statute for a particular purpose. This board operates solely
within the laws that created it.
Because of its involvement in the public sector a statutory body must be controlled by
Government, which is free to cancel its statutory status at any time. Although this body is
basically autonomous, in some instances the Government does provide funds, in which
case a report must be given on how the money is spent.
The personnel of a statutory body is free to sue, and can be sued, in its own name.

THE BUDGET
The purpose of the budget is to decide how much money the Government should spend for
services to citizens, and how to collect the money for those services.
A Budget indicates what will be done in a country. By its various provisions, the Budget
shows how much a Government plans to spend on roads, water, housing and other services
provided by that government.
The Budget Debate usually begins in May, after months of intensive planning by financial
experts. Such planning needs careful attention, since it decides the welfare of the nation for
the next 12 months and might even have important effects for the following years.
Budgetary expenditure is usually divided into recurrent expenditure and capital
expenditure.
The recurrent account contains all the expenses that accrue in the carrying out of services
normally rendered by Government. Some of these expenses include wages and salaries of
Government employees, and the upkeep of offices, factories, warehouses and farms.
The recurrent account also contains an estimate of the revenue expected from taxes, such
as import duties, income taxes, property taxes, licences, and consumption duties.
The capital account includes expenses connected with the purchase and upkeep of goods
such as machinery in factories, school building, offices and roads. These projects are
expensive, but they in turn help in the production of other goods and services.
The capital account, therefore, plays an important part in the economy, for as the stock of
capital goods grows, production capacity increases. The capital account also includes
income from Government-owned profit-making enterprises and loans of various kinds.
When preparing the annual Budget the Government is faced with a number of decisions.
First, there is the question of overall policy regarding the direction in which the economy
must go. This affects the allocation to the various ministries. Secondly, there is the
allocation between recurrent and capital expenditure. Thirdly, the matter will be determined
by revenue projections.

The Government is always faced with the problem of getting the maximum benefits out of its
limited resources.
During the Budget Debate, Ministers report on the work done in government department
under their portfolios, and outline plans for the coming financial year.
Opposition members, in turn, comment on the Budget and opens the debate, has the
privilege of speaking last, as he closes the Budget Debate.
After the Minister of Finance has presented the Budget and made his opening address, the
House of Representatives revolves itself into a committee of the whole House to study the
Budget and make recommendations. When the Debate closes, the House passes an
Appropriation Act, which gives the Government the authority to operate the Budget.
After the House of Representatives has passed the Appropriation Act, the Act goes to the
Senate for approval.
THE JUDICIARY
Jamaicas legal and judicial systems are based in English common law and practice. The
administration of justice is vested in the courts. The courts of Jamaica include the:
Judicial Council of the Privy Council
This court, which sits in London, England, is the final court of appeal for Jamaica. It is
composed of between five and seven Law Lords, who hear appeals, both criminal and civil,
from the Jamaican Court of Appeal.
Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal consists of the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice (who
sits at the invitation of the President), and six judges of the Court of Appeal. A person who
is dissatisfied with a decision of one of the other courts, except Petty Sessions, can appeal
to this court. Petty Sessions appeals are heard by a judge in chambers.
Supreme Court

The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice, a Senior Puisne Judge and 14 Puisne
Judges. The court exercises both criminal and civil jurisdiction, with a single judge sitting
with a jury (12 in murder cases and seven in other cases). Criminal cases come to the
Circuit Court through committals by the Resident Magistrates.
In its civil jurisdiction, the Supreme Court is concerned with civil actions arising from
negligence, breach of contract, slander, libel, trespass, divorce administration, equity,
guardianship of infants and the estate of lunatics. It also has the right to issue prerogative
writs and summonses.
Revenue Court
The Revenue Court was established by the Revenue Court Act of 1971. The Court is a
superior court of record with an official seal. The judge is a Puisne Judge of the Supreme
Court. The Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals under the Customs Act, the Excise Duty
Act, the Valuation Act, The Income Tax Act, the Land Development Duty Acts, the Transfer
Tax Act and the General Consumption Tax Act.
Gun Court
In 1974 the Gun Court was established, with certain divisions being superior courts for
records; i.e. the High Court Division (established by an Act in 1976), and the Circuit Court
Division. In these divisions, certain firearm offences, (which attract mandatory life
imprisonment sentences), are tried.
Family Court
The Family Court in the Corporate Area deals with the maintenance of children, juvenile
delinquency, custody and guardianship of children, adoption and married womens property
rights.
The Family Court also operates in Montego Bay. This court has jurisdiction for the parishes
of St. James and Hanover. Outside of these areas, the Resident Magistrates Courts
generally deal with the matters covered by the Family Court.
Traffic Court deals with breaches of the Road Traffic Law within in the Corporate Area of
Kingston and St. Andrew. Traffic breaches are also dealt with in the various parishes by the
Resident Magistrates Courts.

Resident Magistrates Courts

There is a Resident Magistrates Court for each parish, which deals summarily with less
serious matters, both civil and criminal, and which also conducts preliminary inquiries for
more serious criminal cases. The Resident Magistrate is Coroner for the parish to which he
is assigned. He also administers the Court of Petty Sessions for the parish.
Petty Sessions
Petty Sessions court deals with minor offences, and is usually presided over by laymen
called Justices of the Peace. While appeals from all other courts lie with the Court of
Appeal (or further, with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London), appeals form
Petty Sessions lie with a judge in chambers.
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the
Prime Minister, after he has consulted the Leader of the Opposition. The Chief Justice is the
head of the judiciary and is, by virtue of his office, chairman of the Judicial Services
Commission. Hence, he handles administrative matters such as appointments and
transfers.
If the competence or conduct of the Chief Justice should lead to the question of his removal,
the Prime Minister must first ask the Governor-General to institute an inquiry through a
special tribunal. Such a tribunal must then request the Governor-General to refer the matter
to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which may recommend the Chief Justices
removal.
President of the Court of Appeal
The President of the Court of appeal is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of
the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. In addition to his
duties in the Court of Appeal, where he presides whenever he is sitting, the President of the
Court of Appeal is a member of the Judicial Services Commission.
CHECKS AND BALANCES
In addition to the separation of functions of the legislature, executive, and judiciary, a
number of checks and balances have been established by the Constitution to limit power of
the executive.

These include the offices of the Leader of the Opposition, Auditor General and Director of
Public Prosecutions and the institution of three services commissions with responsibilities
relating to the appointment and disciplinary control of public servants.
Leader of the Opposition
The office of the Leader of the Opposition is established in the Constitution. Jamaica led the
Commonwealth of Nations in the enshrinement of this office in the Constitution.
The Leader of the Opposition must be consulted on a number of important matters, such as
the appointment of the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and members of
the services commissions.
The Opposition Leader nominates eight of the 21 Senators, and since the votes of twothirds of all the members of the Senate are required for parliamentary amendment of the
most significant constitutional provisions, then at least one senator nominated by the Leader
of the Opposition must support any constitutional amendment in order for it to gain
parliamentary approval.
The Governor-General appoints as Leader of the Opposition, the member of the House of
Representatives who can command the support of a majority of those members who do not
support the Government. This is normally the leader of the minority party in the House.
The Auditor General
The post of Auditor General is established by the Constitution. The Auditor General is
appointed by the Governor-General, on the recommendation of the Public Services
Commission. His/her job is to audit the accounts of all public offices. He/she reports
directly to the Speaker of the House of Representatives through the Speaker.
The Auditor General may be removed from office only for inability to carry out the job, for
misbehaviour, or on his/her own resignation.
Director or Public Prosecutions

The Director of Public Prosecutions has the responsibility to decide when to take over,
continue, or discontinue prosecutions started by other persons, and may institute and
undertake prosecutions in person or through his officers.
In exercising the functions of the office, the Director of Public Prosecutions is not subject to
the direction or control of any other person or authority. He/she cannot be removed from
office except on the recommendation of a specially constituted judicial tribunal. His/her
salary is safeguarded under the Constitution.
Services Commissions
There are three services commissions which deal with the appointment, dismissal and
disciplinary control of public officers. Appointments to the commissions are made by the
Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, after consultation with the
Leader of the Opposition.
Public Service Commission
The Public Service Commission consists of a Chairman and not less than three, nor more
than five appointed members.
Judicial Services Commission
The Judicial Services Commission consists of the Chief Justice as Chairman, the President
of the Court of Appeal, the Chairman of the Public Services Commission and three other
appointed members, two of whom are nominated by the General Legal Council, and the
third of whom must have been a Supreme or Appellate Court Judge in the Commonwealth
of Nations. None of these persons may actively practise as an attorney-at-law while
serving.
Police Service Commission
A separate commission, the Police Service Commission, deals with the police service from
and above the rank of inspector. It consists of a chairman and not less than two nor more
than four members.
Under the Parliamentary (Integrity of Members) Act passed in 1973, members of the House
of Representatives and the Senate are required to make annual declarations of their assets
to an Independent Integrity Commission.

In November 1978, the act to establish the office of Ombudsman (The Ombudsman Act)
was passed, and a Parliamentary Ombudsman appointed. The Ombudsman investigates
complaints of injustice made by citizens against pubilc servants and public bodies.
In 1999, the Public Defender (Interim) Act was passed (coming into effect on April 16, 2000)
and the Ombudsman Act was repealed. The Public Defender is a Commission of
Parliament. The Public Defenders principal role is to investigate alleged injustices or
constitutional breaches committed by government agencies or officers against citizens.
A utilities Ombudsman was appointed in 1983 to investigate complaints against public
owned utility companies, such as the suppliers of electricity and water. The role and
function of the Utilities Ombudsman is now being carried out by the Offices of Utilities
Regulation (OUR) which was established following the promulgation of the OUR Act of April
1995. Under the Act and subsequent Amendment (2002), the OUR has the power to
regulate the following utility services:
- Supply and distribution of electricity
- Provision of telecommunication services
- Provision of public passenger transport by road, rail and ferry
- Supply or distribution of water
- Provision of sewerage services
As a result of increasing concerns about politically-motivated violence, a Political
Ombudsman was appointed in November 1988. In July 2002, the Act was amended and
the Senate approved the Political Ombudsman (Interim) Act which seeks to establish the
office of the Political Ombudsman as a Commission of Parliament.
The Political Ombudsman has the power of investigation into any action taken by a political
party, its members or supporters, where he is of the opinion that the action constitutes a

breach of any agreement, code or arrangement between or among political parties, or likely
to prejudice good relations between the supporters of various political parties.
The Bill empowers the Political Ombudsman to appoint a tribunal comprising
representatives of political parties to assist in the investigation of complaints.
Contractor General
While the Act establishing the office of Contractor General was passed in 1983, the first
Contractor General was not appointed until November 1986. The main function of the
Contractor General is to monitor and investigate, on behalf of Parliament, matters
concerning the award of Government contracts.
The Contractor General also monitors the award and implementation of licences and
permits. These licences are given to operators of gas (petrol) stations, stone quarries, and
other establishments. He is also responsible for ensuring that licences are used in
accordance with the terms and conditions under which they are granted.
The Laws of Jamaica exist under the Constitution of 1962. Except for the entrenched, the
Constitution may be altered by a majority of all members of each of the two Houses of
Parliament. The Constitution states the rules regarding the executive, the legislature, a
judicature and the public service. It contains provisions relating to Jamaican citizenship and
to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual.
The Jamaican Constitution provides protection of the right to life; protection from arbitrary
arrest or detention; protection of freedom of movement; protection from inhuman treatment;
protection from arbitrary and unjust deprivation for property; protection from privacy of home
and other property; provision to secure the protection of the law; protection from
discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, place of origin, political beliefs, colour, creed
or sex.
Some sections of the Constitution are entrenched, or specially entrenched because they are
considered extremely important. These sections can only be amended in special way.
Entrenched sections may be amended in the following ways:

The Bill for amendment must be passed by a two third majority of all the members of each
house.
There must be a period of three months between the introduction of the Bill in the House
and the start of the debate on it. Another three month period must pass between the end of
the debate and the passing of the Bill in the House.
If the Senate refuse to pass the Bill after the House has sent it up on two occasions, a
referendum may be held. If the amendment is then approved by three-fifths of the
electorate voting, the Bill may be sent to the Governor-General for his assent.
The same procedure must be followed in amending a socially entrenched section. In
addition, the Bill for amendment must be put before the voters in referendum, after passage
through both Houses. If it then receives a majority vote of the electors, the Bill may be sent
to the Governor-General for his assent.
If the Senate refuses to pass the Bill after it has been sent twice to the House of
Representatives, the Bill may again be put to the voters in a referendum. If it is approved by
two-thirds of the electors it may be presented to the Governor-General for his assent.
Constitutional Reform
In July 1977, a Constitutional Reform Programme was launched to review certain aspects of
the Jamaican Constitution. As a result of a decision to widen the scope of the reform
programme to encompass all aspects of the Constitution, a Constitutional Commission was
launched in 1991 to undertake a systematic review of the Constitution. The Commission
will hear submissions from various interest groups and members of the public, in order to
achieve a fair representation of the wishes and aspirations of the Jamaican people, with
regard to the amendments to be made to the Constitution.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local government is organised by parish. Two of the 14 parish, Kingston and St. Andrew,
are amalgamated for local government purposes and administered by the Kingston and St.
Andrew Corporation (KSAC).

In the other 12 parishes, parochial affairs are administered by Parish Councils. The
parishes are divided into 63 constituencies, and further sub-divided into 63 constituencies
and further sub-divided into electoral divisions.
Membership of these councils varies between 13 and 21 persons, elected on the basis of
universal adult suffrage.
All parish capitals have mayors, who are elected by their respective parish councillors from
among their number. The Mayor is chairman of the Parish Council. Parish Councils derive
the revenue from budgetary loans, grants from central government and parish taxes and
rates. They administer road construction, poor relief, recreation programmes, markets ad
other services, on a parochial basis.
CITIZENSHIP
A Jamaican citizen enjoys certain right guarantees under the Constitution. Citizenship may
be acquired by birth, registration, or as provided by Parliament.
A person is entitled to be a citizen if he/she marries a Jamaican citizen, or was a citizen of
the United Kingdom and Colonies and is naturalized or registered in Jamaica. He or she
may also become a citizen if born outside of Jamaica of Jamaican father.
The Jamaican Parliament may confer citizenship or deprive a person of his/her citizenship.
Parliament has supreme power over the granting of citizenship, if it is not automatic by birth.
All citizens are equal before the law and enjoy personal freedom, but are liable to
punishment in the courts for breaches of the law.
All citizens 18 old and over are entitled to vote. Citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations,
resident in Jamaica for at least 12 months before enumeration, are also eligible to vote.
Voting is by secret ballot.