Bill Passed to Integrate Political Ombudsman into ECJ

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (February 6), passed the Political Ombudsman (Amendment) Act, 2024, which will provide for the Office of the Political Ombudsman to be integrated into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

The office of the Political Ombudsman in Jamaica has been vacant since November 15, 2022.

In a statement to the House of Representatives, Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said that investing the responsibilities of the Ombudsman in the nine-member ECJ, will result in more impactful recommendations made to political parties or their representatives in circumstances where there have been breaches.

“It is in the nation’s interest to extend the reach of the well-functioning ECJ to close any gaps that may exist in the oversight of the political process and political conduct,” he noted.

“The passage of this Act will redound to the benefit of future generations, as the assumption of the functions by the ECJ will allow for the wealth of knowledge and experience in that body to be brought to bear in the performance of the functions of the Political Ombudsman,” he added.

Mr. Chuck addressed concerns raised by the Opposition on January 30, that subsuming the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the ECJ will change the character of the Commission, giving it functions that are inconsistent with the detached, independent, and objective nature that the members of the Commission have long enjoyed.

Noting that the duties of the entities are “synergistic” he pointed out that the Ombudsman is intended to provide oversight of the conduct of political parties, its members and supporters by promoting good governance and ensuring that political actors adhere to prescribed codes and ethical standards.

Similarly, the ECJ’s role is to safeguard the democratic foundations of the country by enabling eligible electors to elect their representatives to govern through free and fair elections.

“As there is overlap in the functions exercised by both Commissions of Parliament, and as the Chairman of the ECJ has expressed support of the proposal for these functions of the Office of the Political Ombudsman to be subsumed under the ECJ, it is clear that the character of the ECJ shall remain,” Mr. Chuck said.

Moreover, he pointed out that the ECJ has long established internal protocols for treating with matters that will be adopted and applied to the matters they will now assume.

“We are not seeking to reinvent the wheel but to adopt what has shown to work. Much of what the Opposition has said regarding the very strength of the ECJ forms the basis upon which the ECJ is believed to be the most appropriate entity to undertake the work of the Political Ombudsman,” Mr. Chuck contended.

He added that the level of stature achieved by the ECJ locally, regionally, and internationally is necessary for the functions of the Office of the Political Ombudsman to be fairly and effectively carried out.