KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) says more than 7,000 polling stations will be operational across the country’s 63 constituencies for the September 3 general election.
Jamaicans voting (File Photo)“We intend to use in excess of a little over 7,250 polling stations to facilitate more than 50,000 personnel, including presiding officers, clerks, supervisors, and one-day police officers, who have been engaged to ensure a smooth voting process on election day,” said Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown
He told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) that the EOJ is urging voters to follow the instructions of the presiding officers, remain calm and patient, and respect the secrecy of the ballot.
The process must be conducted fairly and transparently for everyone,” he said, re-assuring Jamaicans that every measure has been taken to ensure that voting will proceed smoothly and securely, allowing citizens to exercise their democratic right with confidence.
Voters are being reminded that even though the polling stations will open at 7:00 am (local time) and close 10 hours later, those who join the line before the closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballots.
According to the EOJ, 2,077,799 people are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election with political observers saying that 20 swing states could determine the outcome of the elections.
Brown said that voters who do not have a Voter ID card will still be permitted to cast their ballot as long as their names appear on the Voters’ List.
“As long as you are on the voters’ list, you will be allowed to vote, but the process will involve you filling out some forms and taking an oath,” said Brown, adding that taking an oath involves swearing that you are the correct registered elector
The Director of Elections said that while voting is facilitated without a voter ID card, electors who are without their renewed ID card are being encouraged to collect them from the EOJ’s various constituency office.
“If you are not yet in the possession of your new voter ID card, we suggest that you do so quickly before September 3,” Brown said.
Recently, the EOJ reported that approximately 120,000 voter ID cards were in its offices waiting to be collected by electors.
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.
