Dear Editor,

The Citizens’ Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) welcomes the programme to update the voters’ list which has been launched by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

Our Charter of Rights affirms the fundamental right of qualified individuals to be afforded the opportunity to vote in national and local government elections. This right is denied to qualified citizens who are not on the voters’ list. Conversely, where there are names on the voters’ list which should not be there because the person has died or migrated, the list is defective.

An accurate and reliable voters’ list is essential to the conduct of fair elections and integral to a sound democratic process.

Unfortunately, the provisions of the Representation of the People Act for prescribing regular enumeration periods have not been faithfully implemented in the past.

CAFFE calls on all its observers, volunteers and members of the Schools’ Democracy Clubs throughout the length and breadth of the island to exercise their civic responsibility by participating in this exercise by notifying the ECJ of any person known to you who has died or migrated within the last three years.

The contact information given by the ECJ is 43 Duke Street, Kingston, telephone 876-922-0425-9, toll free 888-991-VOTE (8683); eojinfo@eoj.com.jm.

Lloyd Barnett

Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections

dr.lgbarnett@gmail.com