Fisher fights to remain elections boss

Director of Elections Orrette Fisher was summoned to a meeting last Wednesday and informed that his tenure would come to an end today, his attorney Hugh Wildman has asserted.

Wildman claimed, too, that no reason was given for Fisher’s termination during the meeting, which was attended by chairman of the Electoral Commission (ECJ) of Jamaica, Dorothy Pine-McLarty, and two of the selected commissioners.

He said the ECJ also informed his client that the position would be advertised, starting today.

As a result, the attorney is heading to the Supreme Court today to apply for an injunction barring the ECJ from removing Fisher as director of elections. Governor General Sir Patrick Allen was also named in the legal action.

The hearing was scheduled for yesterday, but was adjourned by Justice Carolyn Tie, who ordered that the relevant documents be served on all parties.

Wildman explained that the application is being filed under the Electoral Commission Act, particularly Section 4.1, which addresses the appointment of the director of elections.

According to him, the act makes it clear that the director of elections must be appointed for a period of seven years. “It cannot be truncated for less than that,” he insisted.

Wildman noted that Fisher was appointed one year ago and said based on the law, “that should be construed as a seven-year appointment.”
livern.barrett@gleanerjm.com