KINGSTON, Jamaica — With the final count of ballots completed in 61 of 63 constituencies, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) is urging the public to be patient as counting continues in the remaining two and to avoid spreading or believing misinformation regarding the election process.

In a release on Sunday, the EOJ confirmed that the final counting of ballots from the September 3 general election is being conducted under strict oversight with returning officers, candidates and their representatives present.

The EOJ also raised concern over false information circulating on social media, including fabricated claims about missing ballot boxes, inaccuracies about the number of spoiled ballots in one constituency and misleading graphics claiming to originate from EOJ sources.

Reaffirming the integrity of the process, the EOJ emphasised that all 7,294 general election ballot boxes and 109 local government by-election ballot boxes have been fully accounted for. It said the preliminary counting of ballots was conducted in the presence of indoor agents from at least two political parties, and in some cases, election observers, and that ballot boxes were transported securely with police.

The EOJ strongly encouraged anyone with legitimate concerns to use the appropriate legal channels.

“Erroneous information on social media and in other spaces only serves to undermine democracy,” the EOJ stated, urging the public to “desist from posting and sharing this false information”.

Citizens are advised to verify updates through the EOJ’s official platforms, including @ecjamaica on Instagram and X, Electoral Commission of Jamaica via Facebook, or via their website www.ecj.com.jm.