By: Marlene Freeman

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), has completed the final count of ballots cast in the general election for 62 constituencies.

The counting of ballots continues in St. Mary south Eastern with approximately 13 percent of ballot boxes remaining.

The count is being conducted by the returning officer in the presence of the candidates and/or their representatives.

In the meantime, EOJ says it is aware of public utterances and graphic posts on social media, perpetuating false information about the transportation of ballot boxes and the counting of ballots, and claims of being from EOJ sources.

It notes that they include unfounded claims of missing and un-counted ballot boxes, as well as a grossly inaccurate number of spoiled ballots in one constituency.

The EOJ reiterates that the preliminary counting of ballots took place in the presence of indoor agents representing at least two candidates or political parties and in some cases in the presence of election observers.

It underscores that ballot boxes were accompanied by the indoor agents and escorted by the police to the counting centres.

The EOJ emphasizes that all 7,294 general election ballot boxes and all 109 local government by-election ballot boxes have been accounted for and ballots were and are being counted at the final count at the counting centres in the presence of candidates and or their representatives.

The EOJ further outlines that candidates who wish to lodge complaints or objections are asked to use the legal channels of recourse available.

It also advises that erroneous information on social media and in other spaces only serves to undermine democracy and urges members of the public to desist from posting and sharing false information.

Persons are being reminded to be cautious of their sources of information and are strongly cautioned against sharing or relying on such misinformation.