KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chancellor of the University College of the Caribbean, Dr Herbert Thompson, CD has been officially appointed Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

Thompson, who has served the Electoral Advisory Committee and subsequently the Commission for the last twelve years, was officially appointed Chairman on April 3, 2013. 

He replaces the previous Chairman Professor Errol Miller, who also served the Commission for twelve years until his retirement in December 2012.

Following the appointment of Earl Jarrett earlier this year, the four selected commissioners met on April 3 and elected Thompson to serve at the helm.

Thompson has been a university administrator for the last 30 years, advancing the case for higher learning and increasing access to tertiary education to a wider pool of Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals.

The ECJ was established in December 2006 and is comprised of four selected commissioners, nominated by the Governor General, four nominated members – two nominated by the Prime Minister and two by the Leader of the Opposition – and the Director of Elections.