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New chairman for Electoral Advisory Committee}y CARL WINTSteaner Associate EditorATTORNEY-AT-LAW W.K. Chin See is to be the new chairman of the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC), succeeding Peter John Thwaites, who re-,igned on January 5, 1994.This was announced in the House of Representatives yesterday by Agriculture Minister, Seymour Mullings, who has responsibility for electoral matters.Making his contribution to the 1994-95 Budget debate, Mr. Mullings also noted the appointment of Mrs. Corrine McLarty ro-the EAC on May 2. The Committee met yesterday, he said.On the question of electronicvoting, Mr. Mullings said it had not been dismissed out of hand.“A Committee looking at this idea has reported that whilst electronic voting may be used to minimise some of the election malpractices, it also introduces a new dimension of complication, including the necessity for even more highly trained personnel, and even more opportunities for disruption or sabotage of the system as a result of the added sophistication, power and communication requirements associated with a central data base, he told the House.“Indeed, it would be easy_ to disrupt the entire system with the attendant consequences, instead of the problems which arenow encountered, he added.Management audit •The Committee, he said, had commissioned a management audit to make recommendation oh the systems, procedures and resources required for the preparation of an accurate and reliable electoral list; the company most suited to carry out fingerprinting requirements; computer hardware and software required to produce the necessary lists on a timely basis.It had also invited companies to demonstrate electronic equipment capable of cleaning the electoral lists and for voting on election day. The EAC, Mr. Mullings said, is evaluating thedemonstrations so ,is to take decisions.Further, the EAC had submitted recommendations to his Ministry for increased fees for election officials and new travelling rates for Returning Officers ana Election Clerks They had been approved.The Committee had requested budgetary provisions for the upgrading of the computer systems ana fingerprint scanning equipment for the Electoral Office, in order to produce the most accurate and reliable electoral lists.NRSAnd, it had developed proposals for a re-orgamsation of theElectoral Office to improve us management capabilities and to strengthen its machinery, both office and field, for more efficient operationsHe said that central to the continuing improvement of the electoral system and the election machinery, is the establishment of a National Registration System (NRS) which can guarantee the production of accurate and reliable electoral lists.The EAC, he said, had produced a summary document on the' NRS setting out the objectives and the administrative structure. He said the Government was seeking technical assistance from the EEC for the establishment of the NRS. andexpected a positive irspnnw Meanwhile, $4 million had been provided in tlte Budget lor the National Registration lt;Preparatory) Unit.Mr. Mullings said that total budgetary provision ol $201,299,000 had been earmarked for the Electoral Advisory Committee. Of the dinuum, $39,279 million is provided to fund the operations of the Electoral Office.Meanwhile, the search for a Director of Elections is on, Mr. Mullings said. He referred to advertisements in the media for a suitable applicant.
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Kingston Gleaner
Kingston, Kingston, JM
Wed, May 11, 1994
Page 1
Full Page
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Amanda H.
USA 16 Jan 2024
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