A CARICOM observation mission has reported that voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or harassment, and that the results of Thursday’s general election reflected the will of Jamaicans and reinforced their commitment to the democratic process.

The mission noted that all materials and supplies needed were present at the polling stations in required quantities; for the most part, polling stations opened on time and voting began promptly at 7:00 am; and the stations were fully staffed and most had representatives of the two major political parties — the victorious Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the outgoing Administration of the People’s National Party (PNP).

They also noted that representatives of the two main political parties were present in all the areas observed and, for the most part, polling stations were conveniently located and accessible to the electorate.

The team made the declaration in a preliminary statement issued at a brief press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew on Friday.

The statement confirmed that adequate security was in place at all locations, with the officers displaying “a very professional approach” which, they said, contributed to the level of calm which accompanied the day’s activities.

“Throughout the day, the poll workers remained resolute and steadily carried out the required procedures, ensuring that electors who turned out were able to register their vote,” said the statement from the team, which was read at the press conference by chief elections officer, Elections and Boundaries Department, Belize, Josephine Tamai.

The mission said that its full report will be prepared and submitted to the secretary general of Caricom, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

“This report will include the findings of the mission and its recommendations and suggestions for continued strengthening of the electoral process in Jamaica,” Tamai said.

The team also included members from Barbados, The Bahamas, Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Caricom team came to Jamaica to observe the election at the request of the chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Dorothy Pine-McLarty.

The 11-member mission came to Jamaica on February 21, four days before the election.

On Thursday, they visited 33 of the 63 constituencies and a total of 382 polling stations.

The Jamaica Labour Party won the election with 33 seats to the People’s National Party’s 30 seats.

The PNP previously held 42 seats to the JLP’s 21.