THE LEADERSHIP of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has declared itself fit and ready to challenge the ruling Jamaica Labour Party if Prime Minister Andrew Holness calls a general election shortly after winding up states of emergency (SOEs) across the country.

Tuesday’s announcement by National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang that the SOEs will be allowed to expire on July 25 has been viewed as a possible signal that Holness might call an early general election.

And Horace Dalley, member of parliament for Clarendon Northern, said that the party was prepared to face either the general or local government elections separately but also relished the groundbreaking prospect of a two-in-one poll.

Attempts by The Gleaner to contact Director of Elections Glasspole Brown or Chang, the JLP’s general secretary, were unsuccessful, as calls to their mobile phones went unanswered.

Chang’s announcement has set tongues wagging, and at least for political commentator Kevin O’Brien Chang, the possibility that the prime minister could be setting the stage for an election is logical.