Politics
Recently appointed Chairman of Jamaica Electoral Commission, Herbert Thompson resigns
The Recently appointed chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Dr. Herbert Thompson (pictured) has resigned.
Thompson stepped down from the position last night following calls from opposition party (Jamaica Labor Party) head, Andrew Holness’ call for his resignation.
According to Holness (who is also Jamaica’s immediate past Prime Minister), Thompson’s integrity was compromised when he (Thompson), accepted an award from the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) for the Electoral Commission of Jamaica’s service to national life at the PNP’s 75th anniversary awards ceremony last week.
Holness said the “acceptance of an award by any member of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica from a political party seriously damages the perception of independence and the credibility of the commission”.
The resignation of Dr. Thompson as chair of the electoral commission is effective immediately.