KINGSTON, Jamaica; The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has seen a record number of transfers of voter registration over the last four (4) registration phases covering January 2019 and March 2021. The number of voluntary transfers processed during this period totals 29,893.

The increased number of requests is being attributed largely to the Voter ID card renewal exercise. Under this programme, electors are given the opportunity to update their address on the Voters’ List when renewing their expired Voter ID card which is scheduled to be replaced in 2021.

Under the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) Section 5 (1), electors must be registered to vote in the polling division where they reside. The law allows for registered electors to voluntarily notify the EOJ of their change of residence by requesting a transfer of registration, which is a free process.

“Although the transfer process is relatively simple for electors, the number of requests for transfers is usually much lower than what we would like to see. It is important for us to keep the Voters’ List up-to-date especially in terms of where electors cast their vote, as this is a major responsibility of the EOJ in ensuring free and fair elections,” according to Glasspole Brown, Director of Elections.

Electors are required to visit the EOJ constituency office in the constituency where they currently reside to request the transfer of voter registration. After a three-month administrative waiting period, the transfer is processed; this includes verification of the elector’s new address.

The deadlines to request a transfer are June 30 for the November 30 Voters’ List and December 31 for the May 31 List.