CAFFE REPORT THE 2020 GENERAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN JAMAICA i TABLE OF CONTENTS ii PREFACE iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 1 – AN OVERVIEW OF CAFFE’S MISSION 1.1 Formation and Mission 1.2 Pursuing the Mission 1.3 The Continuity of CAFFE 1.4 The Democracy Clubs in Schools Project 1.5 The Future CHAPTER 2 – LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND REFORM 2.1 The Electoral Commission of Jamaica 2.2 The Electoral Office of Jamaica 2.3 The Right to Register and Vote 2.4 Changes in Ballots 2.5 Open Voting 2.6 Delimitations of Constituencies 2.7 Registration of Political Parties 2.8 Campaign Financing 2.9 Prohibition of Campaign Activities CHAPTER 3 - THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Monitoring the Political Code of Conduct 3.3 Media Coverage and Advertising 3.4 Polling 3.5 Manifestos 3.6 National Debates 3.7 General Covid-19 Protocols for Electors 3.8 Protocols for Electors Positive for Covid-19 3.9 Adherence to the Protocols CHAPTER 4 - CAFFE’s INITIAL ACTIVITIES 4.1 Fundraising 4.2 Recruitment 4.3 Training Videos 4.4 Sourcing of Materials for Volunteers CHAPTER 5 - CAFFE’s GENERAL ELECTION DAY ACTIVITIES 5.1 Deployment of Volunteers 5.2 Election Day Data Centre Operations 5.3 CAFFE Headquarters CHAPTER 6 - SUMMARY OF CAFFE COORDINATORS’ AND OBSERVERS’ REPORTS 6.1 Summary of CAFFE Coordinators’ and Roving Observers’ Reports 6.2 Summary of CAFFE Observers’ Reports 6.3 Misunderstanding by EOJ Workers of the role of CAFFE Observers 6.4 CAFFE Observers not being allowed to observe the Preliminary Count 6.5 Suitability of Polling Stations 6.6 Disabled Electors 6.7 Positive Comments CHAPTER 7 - ASSESSMENT OF ELECTION RESULTS AND VOTER TURNOUT 7.1 The JLP’s Margin of Victory 7.2 Voter Turnout CHAPTER 8 - PERFORMANCE OF EOJ ELECTION DAY OFFICERS, THE ECJ AND THE SECURITY FORCES 8.1 ECJ’s Performance 8.2 The EOJ Election Day Workers 8.3 The Security Forces 8.4 CAFFE’s Observation Coverage CHAPTER 9 - POST-ELECTION ACTIVITIES 9.1 Collection and Collation of Reports 9.2 Collection and Storage of Materials 9.3 Appreciation Ceremony 9.4 Conduct of Poll CHAPTER 10 – THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Income 10.3 Expenditure 10.4 Conclusion CHAPTER 11 - RELATIONSHIP WITH ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE OF JAMAICA CHAPTER 12 - SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS) 12.1 Findings 12.2 Recommendations APPENDICES I. ELECTION DAY DEPLOYMENT OF CAFFE PERSONNEL II. NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS – MIDDAY REPORT III. ELECTION MONITORING REPORT IV. DATA CENTRE CALL-IN REPORTS III. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT PREFACE CITIZENS ACTION FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS (CAFFE) has now successfully monitored seven Island-wide elections, the general parliamentary elections of 1997, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2020, the local government elections of 1998, 2003 and 2007 as well as several by-elections and re-runs. CAFFE’s reputation as an election watch-dog and for its contribution to the development of sound electoral practices was further enhanced by its performance during the 2020 national elections. CAFFE has faithfully pursued its mission to promote free and fair elections and advocate good governance. The organization is now respected nationally and internationally as a symbol of patriotic endeavour, civic volunteerism and citizen participation. For the 2020 Elections CAFE had to face the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulties and delays encountered in obtaining necessary funding. This Report covers the 2020 General Parliamentary Elections. It describes our preparatory work, training exercises, deployment of Supervisors and Observers and contains an analysis of the performance of the electoral machinery and the statistical results of the elections. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is with the generous support of a large number of persons and institutions, private and corporate, who have contributed financially, technically and in-kind that CAFFE continues to have the capability to monitor the elections. Included in CAFFE’s supporters and benefactors are: National Democratic Institute (NDI) of the USA The National Integrity Action of Jamaica (N.I.A.) for a generous grant which facilitated the initial training sessions for CAFFE volunteers. Cecil B. Facey Foundation. Jamaica Freight & Shipping Co. Ltd. Mayberry Investments Ltd. Juici Patties, Restaurants of Jamaica Ltd. (KFC) and Subway for providing lunches for the observers. RJR Communications Group Bishop & Partners The hundreds of volunteers, including Parish Coordinators and Constituency Supervisors who by and large gave generously of their time, financial resources and advice. Digicel, FLOW and other companies and individuals who provided equipment and logistical support. The Electoral Commission of Jamaica for its continued encouragement, support and recognition of CAFFE as the official local observer group. The Electoral Office of Jamaica for assistance with the validation of the identification instruments of CAFFE observers, the provision of election lists, grant of poll information, poll result information and identification instruments for Observers. The media houses for their support and encouragement. The members of the Board of CAFFE, who provided critical support and assistance in the preparation of this report and in the development of the organization. CAFFE is particularly grateful to Campion College for the use of its facilities as our Election Day Headquarters and Data Centre and for facilitating the assignments of the students who served in the Data Centre. We acknowledge the support of the Principal of Campion College and CAFFE Director, Mrs. Grace Baston who arranged for the production of the training video, including the provision of videography services, talent and editing. CAFFE expresses its gratitude to Ms. Kathryn Stewart and Mr. O’Neil Hibbert, members of the Campion College staff, whose expertise was invaluable in organizing and supervising the operations of the Data Centre on Election Day. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Board of Directors of CAFFE faced with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic took the strategic decision to concentrate as far as practicable on the marginal constituencies. It was clear from our assessment that the results of the elections could be determined by small swings in the voting support of the Parties in these constituencies. However, the Covid-19 pandemic greatly hampered our recruitment efforts and hindered our implementation of our observation strategy. Legal Reforms No progress was made with the proposal to entrench the Electoral Commission in our Constitution. However, significant reform was achieved by the making of new provisions for the registration of political parties and the control of political campaign financing. Election Campaigns Happily, the trend for the maintenance of peace during election campaigns continued. A major disappointment was the occasional congregation of large numbers of persons, sometimes crowded in motor vehicles, thereby disregarding the Covid-19 protocols. Election Day Activities CAFFE deployed indoor as well as roving observers in all parishes, excepting St. Ann and St. Thomas. CAFFE issued interim and preliminary reports and produced media statements so as to make the public aware of its observations and opinions. CAFFE continued with its strategy of recruiting High School students among its Observers and this continued to meet with enthusiastic response. Overall Assessment As a rule, the polling stations operated on time and with the low voter turnout, electors were able to vote without undue delay. As a whole, the electoral system was efficiently administered although from CAFFE’s point of view the occasional disregard of the legitimate role of CAFFE observers was most disappointing. Comparative Assessment Compared with the last two general elections in 2011 and 2016, it appears that while there have been substantial improvements certain deficiencies have continued as shown in the Table below: ADVERSE REPORTS 2011 2016 2020 1. Electoral workers not 1. Electoral workers not 1. Electoral workers not knowing the role of the knowing the role of the knowing the role of the CAFFE Observers; CAFFE Observers; CAFFE Observers; 2. CAFFE’s observation was 2. CAFFE’s observation was 2. CAFFE’s observation was impeded; impeded; impeded; 3. Several cases of 3. Several cases of 3. Several cases of unsatisfactory access to unsatisfactory access to unsatisfactory access to polling both for physically polling both for physically polling both for physically challenged persons; challenged persons; challenged persons; 4. Electoral workers not sure of 4. Electoral workers not sure of 4. Electoral workers not sure of procedure to follow in procedure to follow in procedure to follow in cases cases that deviated from cases that deviated from that deviated from the norm; the norm; the norm. 5. Inadequate furnishings; 5. Inadequate furnishings; 5. Inadequate furnishings; sometimes workers had to sometimes workers had to sometimes workers had to sit sit on desks and tables built sit on desks and tables built on desks and tables built for for small children; for small children; small children. 6. Overcrowding causing 6. Overcrowding causing disorderliness in polling disorderliness in polling ------- locations where there were locations where there were too many polling stations in too many polling stations in a cluster; a cluster; 7. Problem with PD locations; ------ ------- 8. Problems with electoral ------ ------- material, particularly the integrity lamp; 9. Problems with the