Voter ID validity extended to 2019

 

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has explained the rationale for extending the validity of voter identification cards by two years.

 

The cards should have expired on December 31 this year. But a notice from the EOJ said the cards will now be valid until December 31, 2019.

 

Director of Elections Orrette Fisher, told RJR News that the decision is to facilitate the EOJ embarking on an islandwide enumeration exercise, which is scheduled to begin next year.

 

The aim is to organise the voter's list by verifying the information of those persons on the list and facilitating individuals who want to be added.

 

"We're looking at the use of technology in acquiring some devices that when we go into the field, it will be able to collect the finger print, facial recognition...and demographic data...with a single device," Mr. Fisher revealed. 

 

He said the devices will be used to improve the accuracy of identifying persons during elections.

 

"We're going to load it with information... With this single hand-held device we will be able to get rid of what I would call an antiquated approach," he said.  

 

Mr. Fisher has anticipated that the process should be completed within two years. "However, rather than going back to the public to say let us extend the life of the card if we are not able to finish within a year, then what we will be able to do is to phase in the new cards while phasing out the current ones," he admitted. 

                                                                                        

The enumeration exercise is expected to cost more than the budgeted $2.2 billion.