In a first in Jamaica’s history, the Office of the Political Ombudsman (OPO) will issue the findings of its 2020 general election campaign review report.

The report, to be delivered virtually on June 2, will include recommendations for improvements to Jamaica’s election campaign activities, particularly those related to the ombudsman’s office.

“The recommendations cover a range of issues including the question of how election rules should be enforced, how sanctions/penalties should be applied, and the enforcement role of the Office of the Political Ombudsman,” said Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown.

The OPO, in a statement on Sunday (May 30), noted this follows what can be considered the most unusual and difficult campaign period in the country’s recent past given the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first time implementation of the Campaign Finance Legislation.

The campaign review report follows a review of the campaign through interviews with experts and other stakeholders conducted by the OPO between October and November, after the September 3, 2020, General Elections.

Findings, lessons learnt and recommendations for action emerged from the robust discussions and were used
to compile the findings and recommendations found in the report.

Parchment Brown further indicated that the report addresses questions about the role of the OPO over the coming years including funding and legislative support.

“It discusses how we can cement the gains made since the OPO was established to monitor campaign activities which have in the past been subject to political violence,” she explained.

The 2020 general election campaign was held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic limiting face-to-face gatherings and that forced other changes to the general election
campaign.

Mrs Parchment Brown said those issues are also addressed in the report given their historic impact on election campaign activities.

The opening speaker at the virtual event is the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Baroness Patricia Scotland.