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D.K. Duncan ensured that public trust was upheld

Published:Thursday | October 1, 2020 | 12:06 AM

THE EDITOR, Madam:

THE ELECTORAL Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) and the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) note with regret the death of former Electoral Commissioner Dr Donald Keith Duncan.

Dr Duncan was appointed a nominated commissioner in 2010 and served until his retirement in December 2017. He was committed to the ECJ and to the advancement of democracy in Jamaica. He understood and embraced the objective of continuously improving the electoral process and sought to ensure that the process was free and fair, and free from fear.

With his extensive knowledge of the Constitution of Jamaica, the Representation of the People Act and the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act, Dr Duncan made every effort to ensure that public trust was upheld in all decisions that were made. He was also mindful of the responsibility of the ECJ and its obligation to the Jamaican Parliament. As a commissioner, he always sought to ensure that the ECJ was truthful to its mandate, its management of public resources, and in the recommendations contained in its reports to the Parliament.

Dr Duncan was nominated to the ECJ by the leader of the People’s National Party. While he was passionate about protecting his party’s interest, it was not at any cost, as he was equally passionate about the history and the important responsibility entrusted to the ECJ.

The ECJ and the EOJ were well served by Dr D. K. Duncan and we salute his contribution to Jamaica. We express our condolences to his family.

Electoral Commission of

Jamaica and the

Electoral Office of

Jamaica