Registration, nomination open for Jamaica Diaspora Council elections
Published:Friday | October 17, 2025 | 12:07 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
NEW YORK:
Jamaicans living across North America, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world are being encouraged to take part in the upcoming elections for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council.
The registration and nomination periods will run simultaneously from October 15 to November 20, 2025, a change from previous years. Voting is scheduled to take place between November 20 and December 13.
The current Council’s term ends on December 31, 2025, and this election cycle is expected to bring at least two changes to its composition.
Shauna Chin, who currently represents the United States West/Midwest region and has served as the Council’s vice chair for the past two terms, has confirmed she will not be running again.
“You are only able to run for two consecutive terms and I have served the required period,” she explained.
The Gleaner understands that the representative for the US Southern Region, Peter Gracey, will also not be seeking re-election.
Meanwhile, Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the current Council member for the US Northeast Region, has confirmed that she will run for another term.
In the US West/Midwest Region, community activist Dr Z. Roy Davidson has announced his candidacy.
“I have already registered and have been nominated for the position,” he told The Gleaner.
The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council consists of 29 members, including seven elected representatives – three from the United States, two from Canada, and two from the United Kingdom. The remaining 22 members are appointed. All members serve a term of three years and act as advisors to the minister of foreign affairs on matters concerning the Jamaican diaspora.
In addition to the election of Council members, this cycle will also see the election of the seven regional chairs for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council. These positions were previously filled through appointment, but will now be decided through voting by eligible members of the diaspora.
Low voter turnout
Despite the importance of the Council, voter turnout in the last election was extremely low, particularly in areas with large Jamaican populations. In the US Northeast, 574 people were invited to vote, but only 250 did so. In the US South, 1,208 out of 1,792 voted, while the US West/Midwest saw 203 votes cast out of 246 invitations. In Canada, 129 of 199 people voted. The UK North saw 95 of 196 invited voters participate, while the UK South recorded just 47 voters from 102 invited.
Observers pointed to widespread disinterest and frustration over technical issues and administrative delays during the last election process. Both the voter registration and voting periods were extended multiple times due to the late formation of election committees and problems with the official website.
This time, however, preparations appear to be more firmly in place. The Gleaner understands that all necessary committees, along with their chairs, have already been established to oversee the process.