There has been no further update on the source of several bomb threats that caused anxiety and a traffic gridlock across the corporate area on August 29, when special service personnel voted.
The first of two general election days was punctuated with firefighters and police officers conducting operations in several locations across the island. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) assured at the time that they would be pursuing every lead to ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable under the law.
“The JCF remains steadfast in its duty to safeguard Jamaica’s citizens and public spaces. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” the police stated.
Bomb threats were made against several public institutions on Friday. On a day designated for the more than 45,000 special services workers who are on the voter’s list to cast their ballots, a number of them were occupied with working on finding explosives across the country.
Media reports indicate that Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) offices in the corporate area, Manchester, Clarendon, and Portland, along with the offices of the Ministry of Local Government, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) on Ocean Boulevard, JAMPRO in New Kingston, and the National Housing Trust (NHT), were affected.
The JCF has since indicated that no bombs had been found; however, specialised teams had actively responded. It also indicated that the necessary security protocols were enforced in order to protect staff, the public, and critical services.
The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica have condemned the bomb threats and have urged the authorities to implement strategies to dissuade and respond to similar actions. They noted that fair elections have been crucial to Jamaica’s democracy and are a result of the struggles of the island’s forefathers. They pointed out that Jamaica has evolved from its violent political past and cannot regress.
In a statement to the media on Friday, the private sector groups said Jamaica has “come too far to allow fear and intimidation to compromise the rights of our people.”
Despite the events of the day, along with some logistical concerns raised prior to the election day, the JCF High Command has announced that the day’s events were done in an orderly manner and the administrative process has been sufficient. The logistical concerns were raised by the People’s National Party regarding what it described as anomalies in the arrangements for the voting of special service workers. Specifically, a stipulation from the JCF that its members from specialised units are required to vote in the parish of Kingston.
The requirement is a change from what has previously taken place, where ballots would be sent to all parishes and police officers would vote at polling stations in the parishes where they are stationed but would be counted in the constituencies where they are enumerated. This change in requirements meant that some members were required to travel to Kingston to cast their ballots. The JCF high command, however, clarified that the issues were addressed with very few individuals feeling any effects. It emphasised that the affected members were given the full time and the necessary support to vote.
