THE ELECTION Centre being set up at the Jamaica Broilers premises at Hope Road is where all key players, including those in the electoral system, the security, political, and observer network come together.
According to Director Elections Danville Walker, "The Election Centre gives the opportunity for all of us to be in the same room on Election Day." While the management process will remain the responsibility of the EOJ, the centre allows for the speedier resolution of conflicts that may arise.
The EOJ boss explained that Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, will be present at the Election Centre to deal with matters of a political nature, anything that violates the Code of Political Conduct.
Also, the Constituted Authority, which has power to void the election in any of the 60 constituencies, will have a presence at the Centre, but will operate out of a separate building. The centre will begin operation on Nomination Day.
Mr. Walker disclosed that the EOJ will spend $350 million of its $750 million budget to hold the election. About $60 million of the amount is being spent on training of volunteers and Election Day workers, including indoor agents, presiding officers and poll clerks.
Undaunted by the task ahead, Mr. Walker said he was convinced that the upcoming election would be the best yet. "Absolutely," he responded when he was asked if he thought so. He added: "I think the electorate has grown up a bit. We have done our work in terms of better preparation but also the electorate has matured a bit. Nobody out there is fighting politics like 1980."
Nearly 900 Jamaicans lost their lives in politically-motivated violence in the run-up to the 1980 election.
Although only 16,000 Election Day workers are needed, 26,000 have been recruited. Of that number, 5,000 were either "weeded out" or became unavailable, Mr. Walker said. He said the remaining 21,000 will be trained. To date, 17,800 have been trained. Despite the over-subscription, there is still a shortfall of 200 volunteers in the Corporate Area of Kingston and St. Andrew.
