Electoral Office of Jamaica denies allegations of missing ballot boxes and uncounted ballots

The Electoral Office of Jamaica has dismissed as false and unfounded, claims circulating online relating to alleged theft of ballot boxes as well as uncounted boxes. 

 

The election oversight body says it is aware of public utterances and graphic posts on social media perpetuating false information about the transportation of ballot boxes and the counting of ballots, and claiming to be from EOJ sources. 

 

The EOJ says reports about missing and uncounted ballot boxes as well as a grossly inaccurate number of spoiled ballots in one constituency are unfounded. 

 

It says the preliminary counting of ballots took place in the presence of Indoor Agents representing at least two candidates or political parties and in some cases in the presence of election observers. 

 

Elaborating, it says the ballot boxes were accompanied by the indoor agents and escorted by the police to the counting centres.

 

The EOJ has stated unequivocally that all 7,294 General Election ballot boxes and all 109 Local Government by-election ballot boxes have been accounted for and ballots were or are being counted at the final count at counting centres in the presence of candidates and or their representatives. 

 

Candidates who wish to lodge complaints or objections are being asked to use the legal channels of recourse available.

 

The EOJ says erroneous information on social media and elsewhere only serves to undermine democracy and it is urging members of the public to desist from posting and sharing false information. 

 

As a result, the public is being urged to be cautious of their sources of information and are strongly cautioned against sharing or relying on such misinformation.

 

It says social media users and the general public may verify information using official EOJ communication channels for accurate and timely election updates.