Some 2,500 election day workers were recruited during the month of June, according to Danville Walker, director of elections.

Last month, the Electoral Office of Jamaica started advertising for an additional 3,000 workers to fill various posts within the Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine regions, meaning the EOJ is now seeking an additional 500 workers to be placed within polling stations.

"We got more than 3,000 applicants, but some did not fit the criteria," Mr. Walker said.

'Heartened by turnout'

The director of elections noted that, as of next week, the office would commence advertisements for the remaining workers.

The electoral office is calling on professionals or tertiary level students to fill the various posts of presiding officer, poll clerk and supervisor on election day.

Meanwhile, Mr. Walker said he was pleased to know that thousands of Jamaicans were willing to serve their country on election day.

"I am very heartened with the turnout as persons are coming forward," he added.

Meanwhile, Nancy Anderson, a member of the board of directors of Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), on Wednesday, urged Jamaicans to volunteer for the organisation in the pending general election. The role of CAFFE is to observe the election and ensure that it is free and fair.

"Anyone who is not working or campaigning for a political party can be a part of the process," Ms. Anderson told The Gleaner on Wednesday night, following a training session for volunteers held at Stella Maris Church, St. Andrew.

Ms. Anderson declined to state the number of volunteers that was needed, noting that she did not want to put a limit on it because the organisation wants to have an observer in every polling station.

However, she said she was pleased with the turnout where some 50 prospective volunteers participated in the two-hour training session.

"We are heartened by this evening's turn-out because, after five years, it is hard to contact persons who volunteered back then," she said.

Election day workers' training

Training sessions for election day workers

Saturday, June 30

St. Ann - Church of Christ, Ocho Rios - 5:00 p.m.

Portland - Bethesda Gospel Church - 5:00 p.m.

Westmoreland - Manning's High School, 11:00 a.m.

St. Elizabeth -St. ElizabethTechnical High School -3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 10

St. Mary - Baptist Church, Annotto Bay - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday July, 8

St. Thomas - Morant Bay Primary -4:00 p.m.

Volunteers will receive a stipend to assist with travel and lunch.