More stringent measures are being introduced to guard against corruption in the electoral process.

A package of legislation was passed Tuesday in the House of Representatives making it an offence for an elector to intentionally display his ballot paper to reveal to any person the candidate for, or against whom he intends to cast his vote.

Breaches of the law could attract a mandatory minimum fine of $20,000 and imprisonment for a maximum of five years.

The Representation of the People Act, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation Act and the Parish Councils Act were affected by the amendments.

It will also provide the same safeguards, in terms of secrecy of the vote, to physically challenged voters, similar to those that currently apply to blind voters.

Prohibit cellphones

Debating the bill, Member of Parliament for North Central St. Andrew, Karl Samuda, told the House that the Electoral Commission would soon be making an announcement to prohibit the use of cellphones by electors when voting.

He contended that voters, in an attempt to prove that they have voted for a particular candidate or party, might resort to photographing the ballot.

According to Mr. Samuda some voters wanted to produce evidence of the party they voted for so that they could be compensated for their ballot.