OBSERVERS from the Organisation of American States (OAS), Caribbean Community (Caricom), as well as the local group, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), yesterday all gave high marks to the conduct of Monday’s parliamentary elections.

Both the OAS and Caricom missions, however, had “administrative concerns”, while CAFFE cited isolated incidents of intimidation, attempted impersonation and lengthy waiting time for some electors.

The 38-member team from the OAS, which was led by assistant general secretary Ambassador Albert Ramdin, had observers in 53 of the 60 constituencies.

“I should begin by congratulating the people of Jamaica for performing their fundamental rights, by using their franchise to direct the course of this country through the voting process on election day. We feel that the elections went well,” Ambassador Ramdin told a press conference in Kingston yesterday.

The OAS observers, which included volunteers from local diplomatic missions and local academics from the University of the West Indies, concluded that the candidates and parties demonstrated good leadership during the process.

Ramdin said the process, and the results can stand up to international scrutiny, despite a few administrative concerns.

He said the electronic voting process took longer than normal, and he believed it could be examined for future elections. He urged Jamaicans to accept the results and work towards nation building and maintain Jamaica’s international respect.

The Caricom group, which also gave its blessings to the process and outcome, said it, too, had concerns, which were mostly administrative.

Gerald Watt, chief of mission said, however, that the team was largely satisfied with the day’s proceedings.

“The management of the polling stations was generally efficient and was conducted in a professional manner, although the administrative competence of some presiding officers was below an acceptable level.,” Watt read from a prepared statement.

At the same time, CAFFE, at a press conference yesterday at Campion College in Kingston, said Monday’s proceeding was a significant improvement over previous polls.

CAFFE said it has recommended to the Electoral Office of Jamaica that there be greater public education on the need for voters to take along their voter identification card to polling stations and also for faster printers to be available at centres using the new electronic system.

“While we recognise that there was no major problem with the essential election day items such as the black book, the integrity lamp and the list of voters, the actual process seemed to have been lengthy for some electors,” said CAFFE board member Anton Thompson.

CAFFE said it had 1,505 observers spread across all 60 constituencies, as well as at the Election Centre and the police high command. The organisation said it operated on a $13-million budget.