THE Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) will be without two of its longest-serving nominated members when it meets next month.

President of the Senate, attorney-at-law Tom Tavares-Finson, on Wednesday announced that he has decided to retire from the ECJ effective January 31 after serving 20 years as a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)-nominated member of the commission and its predecessor the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC).

Tavares-Finson’s resignation comes days after the People’s National Party (PNP) nominated member of the ECJ Wensworth Skeffery retired after seven years. Opposition Leader Mark Golding has since selected Maureen Webber to replace Skeffery. There has been no word yet on who Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness will select to replace Tavares-Finson.

In a letter announcing his decision to walk away from the ECJ, Tavares-Finson noted that his resignation date “will also conclude two decades of formal involvement in the electoral process which gave me the opportunity to display unswerving commitment to the important mission of strengthening democracy in our beloved nation.

“It has been a profound honour and privilege to be entrusted with serving for an extended time at a commission which is at the centre of nation’s democratic processes”.

Tavares-Finson pointed out that he was first appointed to the EAC in 2005 by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, and subsequently to the ECJ in 2006.

“I remain grateful to him for the opportunity to represent the Jamaica Labour Party in this important capacity,” said Tavares-Finson.

He added: “Upon assuming leadership of the party, Prime Minister Dr Honourable Andrew Holness continued my appointment and consistently demonstrated faith and confidence in my contributions to the commission.

“Over the years, I have served as a party representative during five general elections, along with several local government elections and by-elections.”

Tavares-Finson said he takes particular pride in his contributions to the development and implementation of the Electronic Voter Identification System, the political party registration process, campaign finance regulations, and the broader enhancement of Jamaica’s democratic legal and electoral framework.

“It has been a genuine privilege to serve alongside distinguished chairpersons, including Professor Errol Miller, Dr Herbert Thompson, Dorothy Pine-McLarty, and Earl Jarrett.

“I have also been fortunate to collaborate with dedicated colleagues from both major political parties including Danny Buchanan, DK Duncan, and Dr Aundre Franklin, as well as the many committed Jamaicans who have served as selected members and directors of election,” said Tavares-Finson as he extended thanks to the electoral staff who have worked to ensure “the growth, integrity, and enduring strength of this vital national institution”.

The veteran political figure said when he was reappointed to the ECJ by Holness, “his clear instruction was that Jamaica and its democracy must always come first, before any individual or political party consideration. That guiding principle has shaped my entire tenure. I have never had reason to depart from it. The ECJ has grown from strength to strength. It is a vital pillar of Jamaica’s democratic process which must be preserved. Jamaica and our democratic process must come first, always.”

The ECJ is made up of nine members: four selected commissioners, two nominated by the prime minister, two nominated by the Opposition leader, and the director of elections.