Electoral and Boundaries Commission

In 1985, the Electoral and Boundaries Commission was established, under Section 41A of the Constitution. It comprises of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and three other members. The Chairman and two other members are appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Opposition Leader while the Deputy Chairman and one other member are appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Leader of the Opposition after consultation with the Prime Minister.

The St. Thomas By-Election of May 23, 1985 was the first election conducted under the management and supervision of the Commission.

Staff of the Commission – Under Section 41B of the Constitution, the Commission is allowed to employ a staff, adequate for the efficient discharge of its functions; whose salaries and allowances are charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund.

In April 1987 – Thirteen Registering Officers were recruited by the Electoral and Boundaries Commission and another fourteen in 1988 to manage the twenty-seven (27) constituencies. Another constituency was created as a result of the enactment of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission Order, 1990, and another Registering Officer was appointed, bringing the total to twenty-eight (28). In 2002 the constituencies were increased to thirty and two additional officers were appointed, bringing to thirty (30) the current number of Registering Officers employed by the Commission.

The Electoral Department, which comprises a staff of thirty-five (35) officers employed by the Public Service Commission, is the administrative arm of the Commission.