Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

The newly-appointed Electoral Commission has warned that it will postpone, halt or void the next general election if there is social upheaval or political hostility.

Professor Errol Miller, chairman of the Electoral Commission, gave the warning yesterday while addressing journalists at a press conference at the Election Centre at the Towers, New Kingston.

On Tuesday, Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas said the police had received "intelligence" that the upcoming general election, constitutionally due this year, could be marred by violence, as there was increased movement of weapons in various sections of the island.

Yesterday, Prof. Miller said the Commission had not received any information from the Police Commissioner about the source of his concern.

However, he contended that the law was clear on how elections must be conducted in an atmosphere free from open violence and social disturbance.

A futile intention

"Whoever may have intentions for violence, let him know that it is a futile intention because we have no intention to conduct elections contrary to the law," he told reporters.

Professor Miller explained that the Representation of the People Act gave the Commission the authority to apply to the Governor-General to postpone elections if there was widespread violence.

The chairman pointed out that during the 2002 General Election campaigning was halted in at least six constituencies where there were violent incidents or threats of intimidation. "We intend to use the full measure of the law and apply to all the machinery of the State to enforce that," he stressed.

Commenting on the issue, Karl Samuda, general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), said political violence was a redundant concept. "It's a dreaded thought where we would engage ourselves in any form of violence whatsoever in the selection of those who govern the country."

Meanwhile, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) said it has recruited 20,000 election workers and has carried out 85 per cent of its training exercise. "Our main job now is to remain ready and we'll do that by some simulation exercises that we'll carry out with respect to the workers," he said.

According to Mr. Walker, the EOJ has already received adequate funding and it was now election-ready. It will cost the Government $816 million to finance the next general election.

On May 31, the EOJ will publish a new voters' list but the closing date for registration is March 31, 2007.

Professor Miller said the Electoral Commission would, this year, target young people who have remained apathetic to the political process.

According to him, young people between the ages of 18 and 25 were least represented on the voters' list. The Commission has planned a seminar for February where it will meet with the leadership of youth organisations across the country to get feedback on why young people were not registering to vote.