Category Archives: Innovations

This category comprises of literature about innovations made by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica by Professor Errol Miller.

A Proactive Relationship with the Press

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Past relations with the press

The tendency in the past was for the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) to have a reactive relationship with the press and media. Put another way, the EAC responded to concerns raised by political parties or the public. The new EAC, appointed in December 2000, continued along this path for most of 2001. This is largely explained by the fact that there was no EAC in place for more than six months in 2000 resulting in the urgent necessity to address the controversial issues related to the delay in the appointment of Selected Members. Continue reading →

National Broadcasts

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National Broadcasts by the Chairman

From the inception of the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) in 1979, the pattern of communication of the general public was through Statements put out in Press Releases, slogans carried by radio and television and through paid advertisements. While these were appropriate and effective for the purpose for which they were employed, the EAC appointed in December 2000 did not see these as appropriate and sufficient to convey major reforms of the electoral process that would be implemented in the next General Election which could be called at any time within two years. The new EAC had taken nearly a year to assess the situation, agree on new measures and design their implementation. Continue reading →

Monthly Meetings of Political Representatives

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Introduction

In 2000 there were three political parties in Jamaica that were recognized by the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC). Political parties had Members of Parliament; Councilors, Caretakers of constituencies; Caretakers of Electoral Divisions and Liaison Officers in many if not all 60 constituencies. The political representatives reported to the party’s headquarters in Kingston. The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) had a similar island-wide structure. There was the Head Office in Kingston and Electoral Offices in each of the 60 constituencies. However, there was no formal mechanism in constituencies through which Returning Officers and political representatives of the three parties interrelated on a systematic and structured basis. Continue reading →

Agreement on Electoral Reform Agenda First Retreat

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The Approach to continued electoral reform

 

Having conducted the General Elections of October 2002 and the Local Government Elections of June 2003 by implementing reforms that had been agreed by the previous Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) as well as additional reforms of its own, the EAC reflected on the overall approach, process, and experience. The EAC came to the following conclusions: Continue reading →