The Jamaican electoral system has been significantly transformed since colonial times when, for instance, candidates seeking political office engaged in practices of skulduggery, malfeasance, and even imprisoned legal voters, replacing them with ineligible electors, a situation that occurred under the governorship of Prince Rupert, the Earle of Albermarle, in 1687.…
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April 6 Deadline For Candidates To Declare Election Expenses
Candidates who contested the February 25 general election have until April 6 to file returns on their expenses with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ). The ECJ issued a reminder in the media yesterday. Under the law, candidates or their agents must file an election return with the Returning Office…
ECJ Takes On Low Votes – Electoral Commission To Utilise New Strategies To Reduce Apathy Among Electors
Allowing voting from places such as hospitals and nursing homes is among the options the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) will be weighing as it grapples with increasing apathy among Jamaican electors. Fewer than 48 per cent of registered voters turned out to cast their ballots in the February 25…
No Fraud In Election
Amid lingering questions about the conduct of the country’s 17th general election, Orrette Fisher, the man in charge of the electoral machinery, has received a huge vote of confidence from the head of the commission established to oversee its operation. Follow this link to read more.
Final Counting of Ballots for General Election 2016
KINGSTON, Jamaica; The conclusion of the count for the constituency of St. Thomas Western on Monday, February 29 marked the final counting of ballots in all 63 constituencies for the 2016 General Election. Of the 63 seats contested, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) holds the majority with 32 and the…
Caricom observer team satisfied with general election
A CARICOM observation mission has reported that voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or harassment, and that the results of Thursday’s general election reflected the will of Jamaicans and reinforced their commitment to the democratic process. Read more
Sixty-three percent turnout for special services voters
KINGSTON, Jamaica; The sorting of ballots by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) indicates that 63 percent of the police, military and Election Day workers (EDWs) voting population cast their ballots at 282 polling stations island-wide on Monday, February 22. Of the 39, 108 special services personnel, 24, 721 voted.…
Governor General Appoints Two New ECJ Commissioners
Governor-General His Excellency The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen has appointed the following four persons to serve as the selected members of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), effective March 1, 2014. They are the Hon. Dorothy Pine McLarty, OJ, Mr. Earl Jarrett, CD, the Hon. Mr. Justice Karl Harrison…