Organisation of American States (OAS) observers for election day

Director of Elections Danville Walker (seated, left) and Albert Ramdin (seated, right), assistant secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS), sign an agreement for the OAS to provide a group of independent observers for election day, to strengthen the electoral process, during a signing ceremony and press conference between the OAS and the Electoral Office of Jamaica held on Wednesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. Looking on are Joan Neil (back, left) OAS representative, and Mr. Ramdin's adviser, Jean Ricot Dormeus. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Friday | August 17, 2007

THE COUNTRY'S election day proceedings have been given a boost with the addition of a group of independent observers from the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Director of Elections Danville Walker and Albert R. Ramdin, assistant secretary general of the OAS, on Wednesday signed an agreement ensuring the provision of a group of observers for election day during a press briefing held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Mr. Ramdin said the OAS electoral observation mission in Jamaica will serve two purposes.

The OAS observers will not only provide recommendations to ensure the transparency and credibility of the electoral process, but will also seek to learn from the country's system.

"It is a two-way objective, one is to see how we can assist in strengthening and improving the system through observation, but also to benefit from the experience of being in Jamaica in terms of its own conduct of elections," said Mr. Ramdin.

"There is always room for improvement, even when you have good elections, it's always good to have somebody from the outside looking in on that, and that's one of the contributions we will make," he said.

Number uncertain

The OAS is still uncertain as to the number of observers it will provide on August 27, but says it hopes to have at least 120 individuals working in all 60 constituencies.

"We certainly will have a number of international observers coming from abroad, we will also seek to have the local diplomatic mission of Jamaica supply us with some observers, and we will also seek to have some recruitment from the University of the West Indies."

As part of its electorate observer mission on August 27, the OAS observers will be roving across all 60 constituencies.

The first team of independent observers will arrive on the island on August 20 and 22, while the majority will arrive on August 24 and are scheduled to stay until August 29