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KINGSTON, Jamaica, Feb 27 2016 – The CARICOM Election Observation Mission has praised the conduct of Jamaica’s just concluded general elections and said the results reflected the will of the people.
The 11-member Mission, led by Ms. Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer, Belize, issued a Preliminary Statement Friday, following Thursday’s elections which saw the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) led by Mr. Andrew Holness emerge victorious over the incumbent Peoples National Party (PNP) of Mrs Portia Simpson-Miller by 33 parliamentary seats to 30.
“The Mission’s general assessment of the day’s activities is that the voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or harassment, and that the results of the General Elections of 25 February 2016 reflected the will of the people of Jamaica and reinforced their commitment to the democratic process,” the Statement said.
The Mission deployed five teams in several constituencies on polling day which observed the Opening of the Poll, the Voting process, the Closing of the Poll and Counting of Ballots.
“The Mission noted that all materials and supplies needed were present at the stations in the required quantities. For the most part Polling Stations were opened on time and voting commenced promptly at 7:00 a.m. at the Stations in which the opening was observed. All Stations were fully staffed and most had representatives of all the Political Parties contesting in the various constituencies. The teams noted that representatives of the two major Political Parties were present in all areas observed. For the most part, Polling Stations were conveniently located and accessible to the electorate.”
The Mission’s full Report, which will include its findings, recommendations and suggestions for continued strengthening of the electoral process in Jamaica, will be prepared and submitted to CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.
