The recipients of The Gleaner's 2007 Long-Service Awards at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
CHAIRMAN OF the Electoral Commission (EC), Professor Errol Miller, said despite some gaffes, the recent general election has maintained Jamaica's reputation for producing transparent polls.
Professor Miller, who was guest speaker at yesterday's Gleaner Company Long-Service Awards at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, defended the electoral system's integrity.
"Yes, the elections were good elections but it was not perfect," he said. "There were a few mistakes, and one of the things we do in the commission is, if we find out we made a mistake, we are going to immediately acknowledge it."
The former University of the West Indies lecturer did not elaborate on the "mistakes".
The agency is, however, currently tackling charges of corruption and malpractice, made by candidates from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People's National Party (PNP), following close results in some of the 60 constituencies.
Challenges ahead
There has been one magisterial recount in South East St. Mary, with another pending in Eastern Hanover. Yesterday, Professor Miller disclosed that five candidates from the ruling JLP and the Opposition PNP had filed affidavits challenging results to the Constituted Authority. The authority met yesterday.
He said the EC expects to receive a comprehensive assessment on the September 3 election from the JLP and PNP by October 3.
"I would invite supporters of both political parties to contact them and provide them with the evidence (of election malpractice)," he said, "not loose talk or unsubstantiated allegations."
The JLP won the closest election in the history of independent Jamaica by 33 to 27 seats, wresting power from the PNP after 18 years out of government.
Approximately 34 staffers at the Caribbean's oldest daily newspaper were honoured by management at the annual function. Seven workers - Osmond Brown, Peter Burke, Advaral Campbell, George Mosley, Madge Pottinger, Ian Roxburgh and Eulalee Samuels - were recognised for 35 years' service.
Two workers received awards for 25 years' service, seven for 20 years, three for 15 years and 15 for 10 years.
