The Governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says it is confident that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is more effective than the Political Ombudsman in holding candidates accountable.

Last year, the Office of the Political Ombudsman, which had been vacant since November 15, 2022, was subsumed into the ECJ.

This as the Government used its majority in both houses of parliament to pass the Political Ombudsman (Amendment) Act, 2024.

However, as election campaigning intensifies, and as tensions rise over the removal of paraphernalia, there have been fresh calls for the Ombudsman’s office to be reinstated.

The Opposition People’s National Party, which has spearheaded the calls, argues that the office should be an independent body to ensure accountability in election matters.

Responding to concerns about the integration of the office at a press conference yesterday, JLP General Secretary, Dr. Horace Chang, said there is no regret regarding the move.