Political Ombudsman visits Clarendon South East constituency amid political tension

 

Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown on Thursday went to the constituency of Clarendon South Eastern following claims and counterclaims of political violence.

 

An associate of the Jamaica Labour Party's Pearnel Charles Jr was robbed Thursday morning.

 

However, the police say the incident has not been linked to politics.

 

On Monday night, a polling division captain for Rocky Settlement was shot at his gate after putting up a billboard.

 

Speaking on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines Thursday afternoon, Mrs Parchment Brown said she visited the constituency based on concerns that there has been much "miscommunication and mischaracterisation" of the events that have taken place in Clarendon South Eastern.  

 

"I wanted very much to look into the faces of the people who are involved and to try to get a better handle in support of the information I already had," she said.

 

She noted that it is "important for all of us, particularly given the sensitivity and volatility of this competition that's going on in the country, that we make sure that we speak from reliable information, credible information, and where we don't have clear information, we await the advice of the police or the Political Ombudsman before ascribing any political or other reason to what has occurred." 

 

She said she also went to offer condolence to the family of JLP activist Paul Henry, who was killed, as well as sympathy to the associate of Mr. Charles, who was robbed and injured.

 

Mrs Parchment Brown said her office is also monitoring complaints from the Gregory Park area and other communities or constituencies, as well as activities on social media.