KINGSTON, Jamaica – In light of the troubling decline in voter turnout in Jamaica’s elections, the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) will participate in a global training programme on ways to engage young and future voters in the electoral process. Three staff members of the ECJ will embark on the two-week training course entitled ‘Approaches to Encourage Political Participation of Prospective Voters’ from October 22 to November 1 in Incheon, Korea.

The ECJ’s Colleen Wallen, Director of Legal Services, Catiecia Smith, Regional Manager and Daynia Harper, Public Education Officer will represent Jamaica at the event facilitated by the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). The program will focus on effectively reaching potential voters and engaging them in the decisions that will shape their future. The training is also aimed at equipping election officials with the skills to overcome challenges faced in executing voter education programmes.

The sessions will involve election management officials from around the world sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices on voter education.

According to Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown, “the ECJ is always mindful of the value of these learning interventions and so we often participate in regional and international workshops, conferences and electoral observation missions in an effort to strengthen its capacity as an election management body.” 

The Association of World Election Bodies is an international organization founded in 2013 with the vision to efficiently and effectively spread free, fair, transparent and participative elections worldwide. A-WEB currently has more than 114 member organizations in 106 countries.