KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) says an election centre will be set up the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio to monitor the activities of the Portland Eastern by-election on Thursday. 

The centre, which will operate from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, will be co-chaired by the Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown and the Political Ombudsman, Donna Parchment Brown, ECJ said in a release.

It will also comprise a representative from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP), a senior member from the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force and representatives from CAFFE, the Umbrella Groups of Churches, the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and the National Integrity Action (NIA).

ECJ said this network of representatives from key entities provides for full airing of reported conflicts with a view to investigate, authenticate and resolve them, as well as enable the centre to issue factual reports to the media where necessary. 

“The election centre serves as a source of authentic information concerning election matters, a point for registering complaints, a mechanism for conflict resolution and a focal point for coordination of activities and the sharing and dissemination of information related to specific matters surrounding the conduct of the polls come Thursday,” ECJ added.

The PNP’s Damion Crawford and the JLP’s Ann-Marie Vaz are contesting the seat, which became vacant after PNP MP Lynvale Bloomfield was stabbed to death in February.