Observers from the United States based Carter Centre have expressed confidence in the integrity of Chairman of the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) William Chin See and Director of Elections, Danville Walker.

"We have worked with both of them now for several months (and) we find them honourable gentlemen," director of the Centre's Latin American and Caribbean Programme, Dr. Robert Pastor said.

He was responding to concerns raised yesterday by Opposition Leader Edward Seaga that the electoral process might be compromised because of a lapse in the security of the ballots to be used in next week's election, and resultant questions about the integrity of Mr. Chin See and Mr. Walker.

Speaking at a press conference at the Wyndham Hotel, New Kingston yesterday, Dr. Pastor said they were not adequately informed about the matter and would not be able to assess the situation properly until all the evidence was available.

However, he said they understood that the EAC has agreed to reprint the ballots. "We also understand that Mr. Seaga said he will contest this election through the end and believes that he will win," said Dr. Pastor. "That sounds to me like a statement that suggests he believes the process is good enough for him to win."

He said the international observers, who will be providing oversight of the elections on the invitation of the EAC chairman, believe that both Mr. Chin See and Mr. Walker "are sincerely interested in trying to make this as good and successful an election as possible."

According to Dr. Pastor, "I think this is a great moment of pressure on them and on all Jamaicans who are interested in the elections, so we can understand why people's concerns are raised. ... we have confidence in them and hope that everything will work out well."

The Carter Centre director made it clear that they were not interested in which party wins or loses the election. He said they are interested in ensuring that there is a free election and an open electoral process.