Opposition calls for details on Political Ombudsman appointment

Opposition Spokesperson on Justice, Senator Donna Scott Mottley, says the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) needs to provide information on the individual it has appointed to take on the functions of the Political Ombudsman and let the public know how they can engage with this office.

Scott Mottley described the announcement of the appointment as “perplexing and troubling.”

“To date, there has been no clear or transparent communication to Parliament or the public about who this individual is, what authority they possess, or how the investigative process is being conducted under this new arrangement,” she said in a statement on Thursday.

“While the Minister [Justice Minister Delroy Chuck] now suggests someone is in place, our understanding is that no such formal appointment had been made until very recently—if at all,” Scott Mottley continued.

News of the appointment was disclosed on Thursday by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck.

“With this new development, I am now urging the ECJ to provide details surrounding the terms and engagement of the individual now functioning in the role previously held by the Political Ombudsman, as well as how members of the public can contact that office with election-related matters.”

The Opposition spokesperson raised concerns about how the ECJ has been handling the functions of the Political Ombudsman, which were subsumed into the entity more than a year ago.

“The ECJ may be receiving complaints, but no one can say with confidence what investigatory framework exists, what standards are being applied, or whether complainants—including ourselves—can expect any resolution. We have submitted evidence, including visual material, regarding breaches, and yet nothing has come of it.

“The lack of clarity, the absence of accountability, and the disregard for due process only serve to erode public trust,” Scott Mottley argued.

She asserted that Jamaica deserves better in terms of fairness and oversight in its electoral process.

“We therefore call on the ECJ to immediately clarify the terms of engagement of this so-called field officer and to publish details on how members of the public can reliably and confidently engage with this office. Justice and democracy demand no less.”

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