ORRETTE FISHER is to be appointed director of elections shortly.

Highly placed public officials told The Gleaner yesterday that Fisher was selected to head the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) ahead of Deputy Director Earl Simpson and Michael Verley, who worked in the financial sector.

Fisher has been acting as director of elections since May when Danville Walker resigned over a dual-citizenship case.

Professor Errol Miller, the chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), would not confirm that Fisher had been selected for the job. Miller said, however, that the ECJ wrote to Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall on Wednesday advising him of its selection for EOJ boss.

"We have made a decision and the recommendation has been sent to the governor general," Miller said.

He added that the ECJ has been assured by the Office of the Governor General that the matter will be treated expeditiously.

"As soon as we get a response, we will make the announcement," Miller said.

Fisher has served the EOJ since 1995.

- Daraine Luton