EXPRESSING concerns that young Jamaicans have been shunning enumeration exercises, the newly established Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is to hold a national conference of youth leaders next month to encourage them to register to vote.

Newly elected chairman of the commission, Professor Errol Miller, said the ECJ was seriously concerned at the apparent reluctance of people ages 18-25 to get enumerate.

“We are going to make a concerted effort to promote the registration of young people, and encourage young people to participate in the electoral process,” Miller said yesterday.

He was speaking at a press conference at the national election centre in New Kingston.

“The analyses that were done by the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) with respect to the registration of voters by age, and compared to the census, indicated that it is this age group [18-25] that is least represented on the voters’ list.” Miller added.

The February conference will bring together more than 200 youth organisations, including those affiliated to the two major political parties – the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

It is hoped that the young people will discuss reasons for their reluctance to register to vote.

Miller also declared the readiness of the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) to hold general elections, constitutionally due by October.

“We are ready and will remain ready until the election is called,” said Miller.

Meanwhile, director of elections Danville Walker said the next voters’ list will be published May 30, and that continuous registration remains ongoing. Cut off date for appearance of that list is March 31st.