KINGSTON, Jamaica – Government Senator Don Wehby on Friday declared his support for a move to transfer the functions of the now defunct Office of the Political Obusdman to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

The senator, who’s also a leading member of the private sector, indicated his position while he contributed to the debate on a bill in the Senate on Friday which paves the way for the subsuming of the political ombudsman office into the ECJ.

Wehby noted that the concerns raised in the past, even by a former political ombudsman, is that the office lacked “teeth”.

He said it is his opinion that the ECJ will be much more equipped to deal with breaches of the code of conduct and consideration should be given to empowering the ECJ to impose sanctions for breaches.

“Mr President, it appears that the main contention of the other side is that there is a risk that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica’s (ECJ) members’ impartiality and probity could diminish if it executes the functions of the political ombudsman. I believe this bill addresses one of the main concerns that has surfaced over the years— that is, the vesting of the powers and duties of the ombudsman in a single individual,” Senator Wehby told the Upper House.

Wehby says the public must have confidence in the office, starting with how it is structured. He argued that transferring the functions of the ombudsman from a single person to a body of individuals is preferable to engender trust.

“I noted the Opposition’s proposal to appoint three eminent individuals to act as the ombudsman. However, when I consider the composition of the Electoral Commission, the commissioners are of the highest level of eminence. So, I have to disagree with the Opposition’s suggested approach about three eminent individuals. The commission is more than adequately resourced to ensure the Office of the Political Ombudsman is effectively administered,” Wehby said,
The senator said he noted similarities between the mandate of the ECJ and the former Office of the Political Ombudsman.

“I looked at the vision of the Office of the Political Ombudsman. I’ll read an extract of it— ‘this office will be steadfast in ensuring that political representatives, those aspiring to political office and constituents enjoy a fair and just electoral process as well as wholesome representation. Then I considered the Vision of the Electoral Commission, I’ll refer to an extract of the vision: ‘to vigorously promote the principles of fairness, accountability and good governance and; ensure that elections are conducted in accordance with the law thereby giving effect to the will of the people’. Having considered the vision of both, it is clear to me that both institutions are striving to achieve the same outcome,” Wehby said.

In defending the move to approve the bill, Wehby said what he sees being proposed by the draft legislation is not a conflict of roles, but a bringing together of two roles that complement each other, the role of the ECJ and the political ombudsman.

He told Parliament that he agrees that the ECJ commissioners are fully capable to carry out the functions of the ombudsman in an impartial and competent manner.

The bill was approved with eight Government senators voting in favour of its passage and seven Opposition members voting against it.