Silvera among US election observers

Award-winning Gleaner journalist and president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Janet Silvera, will be an international observer in the United States presidential election slated for Tuesday, November 3.

Silvera, a guest of Democracy Win, is the only Caribbean member of the 21-person delegation that has been invited to observe what many are predicting will be the most consequential election in modern times – between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

Silvera, who left the island on Wednesday, said she accepted “with great humility” the honour to represent Jamaica and the Caribbean.

“I am doing this as a neutral observer … and knowing what is at stake,” Silvera noted. “For one, this is not a normal election … and one that is being carried out under the novel coronavirus … the greatest pandemic known to man,” she said.

“Secondly, Ohio is a battleground state … that could well decide the presidency.”

German Trejo, founder of Democracy Win, said that the delegation would observe early voting in person and by mail as well as voting on election day.

The delegation comprises representatives from the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

Ray Jones, CEO of the Jones Company of America, who was instrumental in having Silvera enlisted by Democracy Win, said selecting her was a “no-brainer”.

“She is representing the most credible newspaper in the Caribbean, a publication that has spent the last 186 years ensuring fairness and balance,” said Jones.