After visiting 260 polling stations across 12 parishes, the Caricom Election Observation Mission (CEOM) has concluded that Jamaica’s 2025 General Election was conducted in an orderly and transparent manner, with polling stations well staffed, materials in place, and no significant irregularities reported.

The 11-member delegation, led by Chief of Mission Fern Narcis who is also the chief elections officer of the Elections and Boundaries Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, observed the electoral process from the opening of the polls at 7:00 am through to the closing and counting of ballots on Wednesday.

In its preliminary findings, presented at a media briefing on Thursday at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in new Kingston, the mission commended Jamaicans for their calm and disciplined participation in the democratic process.

“The voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or harassment, and the results reflected the will of the people. The conduct of the day was a credit to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, the security forces, and the citizens themselves,” Narcis said while giving the report.

She reported that both major political parties — the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) — were represented at every station they visited. This presence, combined with what the mission described as “adequate and professional security”, she said, created a peaceful atmosphere across the constituencies monitored.

She also assessed the performance of the Electronic Voter Identification System (EVIS), a technology introduced to strengthen voter verification, explaining that while some polling stations experienced technical difficulties, contingency measures put in place by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) ensured that voting continued without disruption.

“The mission observed that the electronic voter identification system, also known as EVIS machines, generally performed effectively throughout polling stations where deployed. While in some stations there were technical issues, the EOJ’s contingency planning appeared to ensure continuity in operations, enabling voters to exercise their franchise without impediment,” she added.

Narcis also reported that at the ECJ’s central election centre there was strong coordination between officials, security personnel, party agents, and civil society groups and credited the centre for swiftly addressing minor issues that arose.

“The atmosphere reflected a high level of collaboration and cooperation between the Electoral Office of Jamaica and the wide range of stakeholders present, including representatives of the security forces, political parties, and civil society. Issues raised throughout the day were addressed in a timely and coordinated manner, demonstrating the ECJ’s commitment to transparency, responsiveness, and the smooth conduct of the electoral process,” she said.

She also noted that several of Jamaica’s electoral innovations have attracted regional attention and were closely monitored by the mission during their time on the island.

“I don’t know if the Jamaican populace is aware, but Jamaica is leading the region in a number of reforms, particularly in relation to registration of political parties and campaign financing. The introduction of the EVIS machine as well, we were aware of that, and so we were keen to look at that and see how that would have operated on holding and, of course, the election centre, something else that is quite attractive to a number of other Caribbean countries in terms of how that operates. So there are a number of features in your process that are quite highly commendable, and they work very well. And certainly we were all very excited to see those types of organisations and how they operated,” she added.

While minor issues were observed, including occasional delays and long queues at certain polling stations, the mission stressed that these were typical of elections across the region and were resolved without disenfranchising voters.

She also dismissed unverified reports of ballot disposal allegedly involving the police, stating that none of its observers witnessed such incidents at the locations monitored.

She also used the opportunity to extend congratulations to the ECJ, poll workers, security forces, political parties, candidates, and the Jamaican electorate for what the mission described as a “mature and disciplined” exercise in democracy.

Narcis also noted that the CEOM will prepare a more detailed final report for submission to Caricom’s Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett in the coming weeks, which will include recommendations aimed at further strengthening Jamaica’s electoral process.

Chief of Mission for the Caricom Election Observation Mission and Chief Elections Officer of the Elections and Boundaries Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, Fern Narcis giving the mission’s report on Thursday during a media briefing at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.