KINGSTON, Jamaica — Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown says her office has received reports that candidates in the upcoming election and their campaign teams are putting plans in place to hijack the political process.

A news release from the Office of the Political Ombudsman today said the move is allegedly a desperate bid to secure victory at the November 28 Local Government election.

Parchment Brown said under no circumstance is vote-buying condoned.

In a video release by the office, she said that candidates could resort to manipulating the voting process in marginal divisions by way of a different kind of vote-buying.

She explained that what is being anticipated is that people may pay somebody money and have them put their finger in ink that is supposed to be easy to rub off, and on election day they won’t be able to vote because their finger already has something on it.

According to Parchment Brown, the plot constitutes a serious Breach of the Agreement and Declaration on the Political Code of Conduct and the electoral rules of Jamaica.

She made an appealed to candidates, their colleagues and supporters saying if they hear of “anyone attempting to distort our democracy, to take choice away from people, please say and do something”.