KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) is raising concerns surrounding what the party described as “troubling anomalies” in the arrangements for Election Day workers, police and military to cast their votes on Friday, August 29, ahead of the September 3 general election.

“The party has received reports that a number of police officers assigned to non-geographic formations such as chaplaincy, TCND (Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division), and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), have had their polling stations changed to Kingston, despite having previously voted in rural parishes across the island for their entire careers,” the PNP disclosed in a statement on Thursday.

It continued, “This arrangement means that officers who have consistently voted in places like south St James, south Manchester, and other constituencies must now travel to Kingston in order to exercise their constitutional right. Many are unaware of this change, and failure to travel could result in their disenfranchisement.”

The party said those who risk their lives daily to serve and protect should not face unnecessary obstacles to cast their vote.

“We urge the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) and the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) to clarify the situation immediately, ensure that affected personnel are properly informed and implement measures to prevent disenfranchisement. The integrity of Jamaica’s electoral system must be safeguarded at all times,” the PNP said.

It added that it stands firm in the defence of “free, fair and accessible elections”, where every eligible voter has a fair chance to participate, “without confusion, inconvenience or undue hardship”.