Why Orrette Fisher has resigned as Director of Elections
Published:Wednesday | March 14, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Damion Mitchell, Integration Editor
The past two years have been particularly challenging, director of elections Orrette Fisher has told his staff in a farewell letter.
Fisher, who joined the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) 23 years ago has resigned effective today.
He has decided to walk away even before a court ruling he initiated contesting his tenure.
READ: Court reserves ruling in elections boss' termination case
In the letter, Fisher said the aims of the case were to determine the legitimacy of his one-year appointment in the post and to highlight the "growing level of political influence" affecting the EOJ.
"The EOJ as it exists today is a far cry from the organisation which existed 23 years ago when I joined," Fisher said.
He told staff members, that with his court case still pending, he is unsure if it was able to highlight "growing level" of political influence.
However, Fisher said looking back, it is heartening to see that most of the changes at the EOJ have been positive.
"The past commissioners like Professor Errol Miller and past directors like Mike Sutherland had a vision of where they wanted the organisation to go and played a role in the development process, despite the difficulties, the external pressures, the EOJ has consistently delivered on its mandate," Fisher wrote.
But what exactly are these pressures?
Fisher could not be reached for an explanation as calls to his cell phone went unanswered.
However, a source close to Fisher said he has been complaining about a certain member of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica.
"He has been rude," the source said of the ECJ member.
The accused ECJ member could not be reached immediately.
In the meantime, the commission has called an emergency meeting among commissioners to discuss Fisher's resignation.
In his parting words to staff, Fisher wrote: "I wish to use this opportunity to thank all of you who supported me through the years and in particular over the last five months. Your calls, messages and emails have meant a lot. For those of you who did not, we are living in a democratic country and I recognise and accept it as your right."
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