KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMCC – The 23-member Organization of American States (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) has begun its deployment in Jamaica ahead of the August 3 general elections.
The EOM is being led by former Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony, and includes experts and observers from 16 countries.
The OAS said that the EOM will focus its observation on the management of the election, boundaries, electoral technology, political-electoral financing, electoral justice, and the political participation of women.
”On August 29, members of the Mission will observe police, military, and election day workers cast their ballots. On September 3, Election Day, the Mission will visit polling stations to observe the entire electoral process, from the opening of the polls to the counting and processing of results.
“Ahead of the polls, the Chief of Electoral Mission and the OAS team will meet with government and electoral authorities, political parties and candidates, representatives of civil society, and other stakeholders to hear their perspectives on the ongoing electoral process,” the OAS said in a statement.
It stated that the Mission will present its preliminary report, along with observations and recommendations, to strengthen the country’s democratic and electoral processes in the days following the election.
The OAS said that this is the fourth EOM it has deployed in Jamaica, and its presence this time is made possible through the financial contributions of Canada, Chile, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.
The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) states that more than 7,000 polling stations will be operational across the country’s 63 constituencies for the general election.
Since gaining universal adult suffrage in 1944, Jamaica has held 18 general elections with both the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) winning on nine occasions each.
Both parties are claiming that the “momentum” is with them as they enter the final days of the campaign.
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