ONE-MINUTE READS: News from across Jamaica

Observers lined up for Jamaican polls

Three observer missions from the Caribbean Community, the Organization of American States (OAS) and Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections have so far committed to observe the September 3 general election.

Election day workers, the police and the military electors, will vote on August 29. The OAS mission will be headed by the former Prime Minister of St Lucia, Dr Kenny Anthony.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica said it has also advanced preparations with the printing of voters' lists, selection and placement of election day workers and distribution of supplies.

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EOJ printing ballot papers for election

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has commenced the printing of ballot papers with the names of the candidates nominated on Monday.

Following the final reconciliation of the candidates nominated, 63 candidates were each nominated for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP), 43 for the Jamaica Progressive Party, seven for the United Independents' Congress and eight persons were nominated as independent candidates.

Additionally, six candidates have been nominated for the by-elections in Chancery Hall, Olympic Gardens and Denham Town, three each for the JLP and the PNP.

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Fewer teachers resigning this summer

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is reporting that there has been a notable decline in teacher resignations during the summer period, marking a shift from the trends observed in recent years.

"We are not seeing the same level of teacher movement and we also observed an increase in teachers returning to Jamaica, further bolstering staffing levels," said permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Kasan Troupe.

She expressed optimism regarding the current staffing situation in schools, noting that the system is experiencing a significant decline in resignations compared to the last three years.

The permanent secretary said that more than 1,000 new teachers have graduated from colleges this year.

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Chang lauds correctional officers

Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, has highlighted the crucial role of correctional officers as "agents of safety and guardians of hope", stressing that their discipline, fairness, and empathy are vital in building public trust and national resilience.

The minister, last Friday, welcomed 98 new members of the Department of Correctional Services during the Passing Out Parade for the 86th Intake, held at the Carl Rattray Staff College in Runaway Bay, St Ann. He emphasised that officers are not only keepers of custody but also "bridges to transformation" in helping inmates reintegrate into society as productive citizens.

Chang told the graduates that "the heart of correction is not concrete and steel, but the people", and that officers are the embodiment of Jamaica's policy and vision for a safe, cohesive and just system.

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Electors without voter ID cards can still vote

Electors who do not have a voter ID card will still be permitted to cast their ballot on election day, as long as their names appear on the voters' list.

This was disclosed by Director of Elections, Glasspole Brown, during a recent interview with JIS News.

"As long as you are on the voters' list, you will be allowed to vote, but the process will involve you filling out some forms and taking an oath," said Brown. He explained that taking an oath involves swearing that you are the correct registered elector. Brown further pointed out that electors who are without their renewed ID cards are being encouraged to collect them from their Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) constituency office. Recently, the EOJ reported that approximately 120,000 voter ID cards were in its offices waiting to be collected by electors.