KINGSTON, Jamaica — Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell is to head an eight-member team of observers from across the Commonwealth to “oversee and review” Jersey’s (Channel Islands) general elections to be held next Wednesday.

Paulwell will join members from the United Kingdom branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA UK) to review the election process and will report back on Jersey’s performance as measured against international standards, commitments and domestic laws.

The team will be supported by four technical specialists comprising two election analysts and two election coordinators.

Paulwell said Jamaica’s participation in the observer mission is testament to the maturity and international recognition of Jamaica’s electoral system.

“I am pleased to be afforded the opportunity to serve as Head of Mission during the exercise,” he said.

He added that “as a participant in the bi-partisan process of perfecting Jamaica’s electoral system and the extent to which the system has evolved to ensure free and fair elections, I am honoured to be an election observer.

“Our nation must be proud of its status as a bastion of democracy among Commonwealth countries and in the global community of nations.”

Meanwhile, Jon Davies, the CPA UK chief executive, said: “This will be the first election in which Jersey or indeed any of the Crown Dependencies has invited an international election observation team. We are honoured to be a part of this momentous opportunity.”

A preliminary report of Jersey’s general election is expected to be published within two days of the election, with a final report including recommendations for electoral reform made available within two months of polling day.