NIA renews call for appointment of political ombudsman

By Lorraine Mendez    

 

Watchdog group National Integrity Action is questioning the continued absence of a political ombudsman to monitor and enforce the political code of conduct.

 

Professor Trevor Munroe, Founding Director of National Integrity Action, says without the appointment of a political ombudsman, there are no mechanisms to investigate allegations of improper use of public resources for campaign financing. 

 

"That cannot be allowed and therefore we must give substance and renew the call for that office to do what was intended in the law. The law itself says that the Office of the Political Ombudsman must continue until given constitutional protection. So the intent was of the lawmakers that this office be put in the Constitution and not put one side or put in abeyance," Professor Munroe pointed out.  

 

The Office of the Political Ombudsman has been vacant since November 15, 2022 following the expiration of Donna Parchment Brown's term.

 

In the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, the opposition withheld its support for legislation to amend the Political Ombudsman (Interim) Act, tabled by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck.

 

The bill seeks to have the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) assume the responsibilities of the political ombudsman.

 

But Opposition Leader Mark Golding said the opposition was not in receipt of the bill and could not support what it had not seen. 

 

He also took issue with the proposed role of the ECJ in political matters, arguing that it should remain an independent body.