KINGSTON, Jamaica — Director of Elections Orrette Fisher is to remain in his job until a ruling is made in the lawsuit he brought against the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), seeking judicial review of the decision of the ECJ not to renew his contract which expired at the end of October 2017.

Justice Kirk Anderson today reserved judgement after hearing arguments from both sides in the case.

Fisher’s attorney Hugh Wildman said his case is solid. “We put up a very good case. As to what he does that’s a different thing,” he told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Fisher is fighting to keep his job as head of the Electoral Office for at least another six years, despite the expiration of his one-year contract, on the grounds that he is entitled to seven years in the post as set out in law.

The director was first appointed for seven years following which he was reappointed under a one year contract, followed by a second one-year contract in 2015.

His attorney has argued that his one-year contracts had been illegal as the appointment cannot be for a period of less than seven years according to the Electoral Commission Interim Act.

“There is no vacancy to be filled now,” Wildman argued in court, adding: “In 2015 we are contending that he was appointed for another seven year term, not knowing what they were doing, but that is the law. After the expiration they can talk about a vacancy…you should put a sign on the EOJ (Electoral Office of Jamaica) saying no vacancy here.”

Alphea Saunders