Tom Tavares-Finson, the Jamaica Labour Party’s longest-serving representative on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), will retire from the body this Saturday, January 31, bringing to an end 20 years of service to the country’s electoral institutions.
His departure closes a chapter that began in 2005 when he was appointed to the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) by then JLP leader Bruce Golding. One year later, he was named to the ECJ, where he went on to play a central role in several major electoral reforms.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Tavares-Finson described his tenure as a significant honour, noting that the Commission occupies a critical place in Jamaica’s democratic system. He highlighted his involvement in key initiatives, including the rollout of the Electronic Voter Identification system, the establishment of the political party registration framework, the strengthening of campaign finance rules, and broader updates to the country’s electoral laws.
Tavares-Finson acknowledged Golding for the opportunity to serve the party in that capacity and said successive leadership continued to place confidence in him. After assuming office, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness maintained his appointment, under which Tavares-Finson represented the JLP during five General Elections, as well as multiple Local Government Elections and by-elections.
Reflecting on his time at the ECJ, he paid tribute to past chairpersons and fellow commissioners from both major political parties, citing years of cooperation in overseeing Jamaica’s electoral process. He also commended the staff of the Electoral Office of Jamaica and the Commission for their role in maintaining the institution’s credibility and effectiveness.
Tavares-Finson offered special thanks to Prime Minister Holness, recalling that his reappointment came with clear guidance that national interest and democratic integrity must always take precedence over partisan considerations. He said that principle guided his conduct throughout his tenure.
As he prepares to step aside, Tavares-Finson underscored the importance of safeguarding the ECJ, describing it as a cornerstone of Jamaica’s democracy that must continue to be protected for the benefit of the nation.
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