EOJ Reports Smooth Voting for Security Forces and Election Day Workers

Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher, says that voting went smoothly today (Feb. 22), as election day workers and members of the security forces cast their ballots for the 2016 general election.

“I went and I checked some stations. There have been no hiccups. Things have been moving. What I will do later is to look at the turnout,” said Mr. Fisher in a JIS News interview.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) made preparations to accommodate the 39,108 special services voters. These include 26,498 election day workers; 10,041 police officers, and 2,569 soldiers.

They voted at schools, churches, police stations, court houses and military bases.

Meanwhile, the Director of Elections indicated that everything is in order for the general population to cast their ballots on Thursday (Feb. 25).

He said the ECJ is more than capable of handling a large turnout of voters.

On Election Day, Jamaicans are being reminded to follow the guidelines. Prior to Thursday, persons casting ballots are being encouraged to find out where they are to vote.

The electorate is further being reminded to take along identification cards to the polling stations.

On arrival at the polling station, Jamaicans are being encouraged to join the line and wait until it is their turn to vote.

Importantly, the use or display of cameras, cellular phones or any other image-capturing device is banned inside the polling station, and persons are being urged to turn off their cellular phones inside the polling stations.

In addition, voters must follow the instructions of the Presiding Officer in order for their ballot to be successfully marked and cast.