NIA Concerned About Allegations of Vote Buying in JLP Selection Exercise

Anti-corruption watch dog, National Integrity Action, NIA, is voicing concerns over allegations of vote buying in a Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, internal selection exercise in South Manchester.

Businessman Ian Ives defeated member of parliament, Robert Chin, to become the party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the constituency.

However, a JLP councillor in the constituency was heard in a leaked recording suggesting that she was setting aside $5,000 in exchange for the person she was conversing with to support Ives in the selection contest.

Mahiri Stewart tells us more.

Ian Ives won 54 per cent of votes among party workers. Robert Chin won 35 per cent of votes cast.

Leading up to the selection exercise, JLP councillor for the Grove Town division in the constituency, Iceval ‘Cherry’ Brown, was heard in a leaked recording urging labourites to support Ives.

She was heard in the recording suggesting that she was setting aside $5,000 in exchange.

Section 91 A of The Representation of the People Act, ROPA, says a person shall be guilty of bribery if they, directly or indirectly gives, lends, or agrees to give or lend, or offers to procure money or valuable consideration to any voter or to any person on behalf of any voter.

However, ROPA does not govern internal party selection exercises.

Ms. Brown was contacted on Wednesday of last week to respond to the leaked voice note.

She declined to answer. She was again contacted today at 2 pm. Ms. Brown told our news centre she was busy and instructed us to call back in 20 minutes.

Nationwide News returned the call at 2:26 pm with no answer.

Ms. Brown was again called four times between 2:40 pm and 4:30 pm with no answer.

Calls were also placed to JLP general secretary Dr. Horace Chang to respond to the recording. Those calls were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, director of National Integrity Action, Danielle Archer, says this is one example of vote buying and selling occurring in internal party selections and municipal and general elections.

She says this practice is undeniably wrong, yet it persists due to a combination of deteriorating values, unethical behaviour, and widespread poverty, leaving significant portions of the population vulnerable.

Ms. Archer says to combat this, a nationwide campaign is essential.

The NIA director is calling for improving living standards and income for the majority, alongside strict enforcement of laws against vote buying and selling, as crucial remedies to reduce such unethical practices.

She says such a campaign would be spearheaded by the Political Ombudsman, which is now the purview of the ECJ.