KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) says it is aware of reports of long lines at some locations, but says this is due to large numbers of electors turning up to vote without their national identification cards.

“This is due to a significant number of electors who turn up to vote without their voter ID card and have to undergo alternative verification procedures, which lengthens the processing time,” the EOJ said.

Complaints have been fielded from across the country, including St Elizabeth, St Andrew and St James, regarding the long wait for voters to cast their ballots in the general election.

READ: Some frustrated early voters gave up, says Heroy Clarke

In St Elizabeth South West, voters at one polling station said the crowd was thin, but it still took in excess of 15 minutes for one person to vote in some cases.

Electoral officials on site were apologetic, indicating that the number of people voting was the cause of the extended waiting time.

However, it took over an hour and a half to clear the line of less than 20 people, with some residents complaining that they had waited almost two hours.

Several people turned up without identification cards during this time as well.