Political Ombudsman welcomes prospect of dual elections

 

Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown has expressed support for the move to have dual elections in Jamaica. 

 

A motion to facilitate the holding of general and local government elections on the same day was tabled Tuesday by Leader of Government Business Karl Samuda on behalf of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

 

In an interview with Radio Jamaica News Wednesday afternoon, the Political Ombudsman expressed confidence that the Electoral Office of Jamaica would be able to facilitate both elections simultaneously.

 

She believes it would be in the best interest of the country to have both elections the same day. 

 

"I have heard stated by both Leader of the Opposition and the Honourable Prime Minister that this will reduce the cost of the election by having both events on the same day. I do believe that this is absolutely within our capacity, and while it will be very demanding on the election centre and the electoral workers and so on, I think it's good that we should have all our efforts concentrated on one day," she said. 

 

Mrs Parchment Brown noted that her office will need additional personnel to monitor dual elections, but she hopes a public education campaign which her office plans to launch before the elections will ensure that "candidates would conduct themselves in such a way that is in keeping with the Code of Conduct and therefore not require as much intervention as we have seen perhaps in previous elections and by-elections." 

 

The Political Ombudsman said she plans to meet with the Police High Command to get increased assistance in the event the government goes ahead with the plan to hold elections simultaneously.