MOU being drafted to guide election day workers on role of observers

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

A memorandum of understanding is being drafted to properly guide election workers on the role of observers on election day.

 

This comes after election observer group, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), was forced to intervene when some observers were barred from monitoring the counting at polling stations on the evening of the recent local government election.

 

CAFFE has observed elections since its inception in 1997.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News, CAFFE head Grace Baston said the document, which will explicitly outline the role of observers, will also be integrated in training for representatives of the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ). 

 

"We would exchange our manuals and what we're asking is that MOU be part of [EOJ] training manuals, because what we did see was inconsistency in the training. Clearly some, most of the officials on election day knew and understood the role of the CAFFE observer and some did not, and we could only chalk that up to inconsistency in the training."

 

She said stakeholders are working to promptly complete the document ahead of the general election, which is constitutionally due next year.

 

The document is being developed following a meeting three weeks ago with CAFFE, the EOJ and its parent organisation the Electoral Commission of Jamaica.

 

It also comes after Mrs. Baston's call for an amendment to the Representation of the People's Act to include the specific role of observers.

 

During the February 26 local government election, some 20 per cent of observers were advised by EOJ representatives that they had to leave the precincts during counting.