CAFFE wants reinstallation of single political ombudsman

The absence of public statements or visible enforcement of the Political Code of Conduct by the commissioners of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is deeply troubling, Danielle Archer, principal director of National Integrity Action (NIA), has said.

“Their silence not only erodes public trust and accountability, but also creates a dangerous vacuum in oversight during a critical period of active campaigning,” the head of the civil society body told The Gleaner.

At the same time, the nearly three-decades-old election watchdog, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), is of the view that it is not too late for a reversal of the 2024 legislative amendment to transfer the role of political ombudsman to the nine commissioners of the ECJ.

Grace Baston, chairman of CAFFE, said her organisation is concerned that the ECJ might be reticent in speaking out on issues where one political party is in violation of the code without being perceived as taking sides in a dispute between prospective candidates.

“It is problematic, and we couldn’t have been louder in our calls for this post to be filled. We need a political ombudsman, especially at this time; and even if it’s only during this time of heightened tension,” the CAFFE boss pointed out.

Archer noted that the concerns being raised by one municipality about the erection of political signs when an election has not been called, is one example of where the political ombudsman is needed.

It is not known if the ECJ has intervened in that matter, but no public statement on the issue had been made up to Friday.

The NIA head argued that without the ECJ’s intervention, violations of ethical standards risk going unchecked, potentially undermining the integrity of the electoral process and shaking the very foundation of democratic governance. This seeming inaction, said Archer, is not just concerning, but is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and resolution.

Prior to the passing of legislation to bestow on the ECJ commissioners the mandate of political ombudsman, a single person was appointed to carry out those duties. Throughout her tenure, the former political ombudsman, Donna Parchment Brown, often communicated with the public to address concerns that run counter to the Political Code of Conduct.

Since the ECJ commissioners have taken on the task of ombudsman, their silence has triggered criticism and increased concerns from civil society.

In an environment where the stakes are high, Baston said a single person carrying out the role of political ombudsman was now needed to temper the rhetoric on the campaign trail and calm tensions when they arise.

The ECJ has a total of four political representatives from the two major parties. It also comprises four independent members as well as the director of elections.

“The ECJ has to remain a fit and proper organ to carry out its job and you don’t want that compromised in any way,” Baston said in a recent Gleaner interview.

She suggested that the ECJ has found itself in a bind, where speaking publicly about alleged breaches of the code could perhaps compromise its neutrality.

Insisting that the Parliament should take steps to quickly revert to a single referee to adjudicate on alleged breaches of the code, Baston said the “absence of that person is detrimental to our progress and we are beginning to see it. Somebody needs to be named ombudsman and not that entity”.

Archer is urging the ECJ to clarify its enforcement strategy for the Political Code of Conduct, actively monitor violations, and ensure transparency to uphold electoral integrity.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com