KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Electoral Office of Jamaica says that for the first time, demographic data on persons who turn out to vote in the upcoming general election will be collected and used to compile a profile of electors.

“We anticipate that this information will hopefully be available within two to three weeks after the election has been conducted,” Director of Elections Orrette Fisher disclosed today at a press conference held at the offices of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica in Kingston.

Meanwhile, Fisher again addressed reports of a large number of deceased people still appearing on the voters’ list.

“Where persons may have migrated or moved locally then the names of those persons would still be on the list. We have sought to remove the names of dead persons and we have removed all those that have come to our attention, but that is not to say that we have been apprised of all the names.

“The important thing is whether or not the persons whose names appear on the list are able to vote,” he insisted. “We are satisfied that we have put mechanisms in place to minimise that activity. The list cannot be changed until there is a residence re-verification or a fresh enumeration.”

Alphea Saunders