1980 Jamaican general election

1980 Jamaica general election

← 1976 30 October 1980 1983 →
All 60 seats in the House of Representatives 31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	86.91% ( 1.70pp)
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/– JLP Edward Seaga 58.88 51 +38 PNP Michael Manley 41.05 9 −38 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. Prime Minister before Prime Minister after Michael Manley PNP Edward Seaga JLP

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General elections were held in Jamaica on 30 October 1980.^[1] 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 to 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 to 9 majority and Seaga replaced Manley as Prime Minister of Jamaica. Voter turnout was 87%.^[1]

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.^[2] 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.^[3]

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