Campaign director for the People’s National Party, Dr Peter Philips, says the opposition is pleased the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), has now received the full $350 million it requested to prepare for the next general election.
The confirmation came yesterday from senior government officials. The EOJ was given $200 million in October with a promise that the rest would be paid early this month. Dr. Phillips says the PNP is pleased that the money has reached the EOJ to continue its preparations for the impending elections.
In a letter to Financial Secretary Dr Wesley Hughes on September 29, the EOJ had said it would need $350 million at least 90 days before Nomination Day to get ready for the general election. In the letter, the EOJ noted that the majority of its expenditure would take place after an election, but said it needed money to ensure that it was properly prepared whenever the prime minister gives the word.
Most of the money requested by the EOJ will be used to purchase new equipment to be used in the voter identification and ballot issuing system. The EOJ also requested $32 million to replace defective ballot printing equipment, $30 million to sensitize electors about the boundary changes, and $20 million to recruit and train Election Day workers.
