JLP’s Tavares-Finson to demit office as ECJ Commissioner

The Jamaica Labour Party’s longest-serving member on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), Tom Tavares-Finson, King’s Counsel, is to retire from the post, The Gleaner has learnt.

According to an informed source, Tavares-Finson is expected to depart in about three months.

When The Gleaner contacted Tavares Finson he declined to comment on the issue.

A senior backbencher of the JLP, who is tipped to replace Tavares Finson, said, “I don’t know what you are talking about,” when contacted earlier today by The Gleaner.

Tavares-Finson is also the president of the Senate.

The JLP lawmaker has served on the ECJ since 2006 and was a member of the Electoral Advisory Committee, which later became the ECJ.

His departure follows news that PNP representative on the commission, Wensworth Skeffery, is to step down at the end of December.

The ECJ is the statutory body that oversees Jamaica’s electoral process and comprises nine members, four selected and jointly agreed on by both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Of the other four commissioners, two members are nominated by the Prime Minister and the other two nominated by the opposition leader.

The Director of Elections is also a member.

- Jovan Johnson

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