Tom Tavares-Finson, the Jamaica Labour Party’s longest-serving representative on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), will retire from the post effective Saturday, January 31, bringing to an end two decades of service to the country’s electoral oversight bodies.
His departure concludes 20 years of work on both the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) and the ECJ, where he played a role in shaping several key reforms to Jamaica’s electoral framework.
“It has been a profound honour and privilege to be entrusted with serving for an extended time at a Commission which is at the centre of nation’s democratic processes,” Tavares-Finson said in a statement on Wednesday. He added, “I take particular pride in my contributions to the development and implementation of the Electronic Voter Identification system, the Political Party Registration process, Campaign Finance Regulations, and the broader enhancement of Jamaica’s democratic legal and electoral framework.”
Tavares-Finson was first appointed to the EAC in 2005 by then Jamaica Labour Party leader Bruce Golding and subsequently appointed to the ECJ in 2006.
“I remain grateful to him for the opportunity to represent the Jamaica Labour Party in this important capacity,” he said of Golding.
Following Golding’s tenure, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness continued Tavares-Finson’s appointment to the Commission. Over the years, Tavares-Finson served as a party representative during five General Elections, in addition to multiple Local Government Elections and by-elections.
Reflecting on his time at the ECJ, Tavares-Finson acknowledged the leadership and colleagues he worked alongside. “It has been a genuine privilege to serve alongside distinguished chairpersons, including Professor Errol Miller, Dr Herbert Thompson, the Hon Dorothy Pine-McLarty, and the Hon Earl Jarrett,” he said. “I have also been fortunate to collaborate with dedicated colleagues from both major political parties including Danny Buchanan, DK Duncan, and Dr Aundre Franklin, as well as the many committed Jamaicans who have served as selected members and directors of elections.”
He also expressed gratitude to the staff of the Electoral Office of Jamaica and the ECJ, “whose unwavering commitment has ensured the growth, integrity, and enduring strength of this vital national institution.”
Tavares-Finson offered “special appreciation” to Prime Minister Holness, noting the principle that guided his tenure.
“When he re-appointed me to the ECJ, his clear instruction was that Jamaica and its democracy must always come first, before any individual or political party consideration. That guiding principle has shaped my entire tenure. I have never had reason to depart from it,” he said.
“The ECJ has grown from strength to strength. It is a vital pillar of Jamaica’s democratic process which must be preserved. Jamaica and our democratic process must come first, always,” he added.
Prime Minister Holness has since acknowledged Tavares-Finson’s decision to retire from the Commission, commending his long-standing contribution to the country’s democratic institutions.
“Tom has been among the Jamaica Labour Party’s representatives on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica for almost twenty years. He has offered dependable, committed, wise and professional counsel to the Commission, which is worthy of high commendation,” Holness said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Tom has been a reliable and distinguished champion for democracy, fairness and integrity in the exercise of Jamaica’s electoral processes. As a nation, we are grateful to Tom for his impeccable and committed service to the Commission, which is an institution that is vital to the good functioning of our democracy,” he continued.
Holness also noted that Tavares-Finson will remain active in public life. “We look forward to his continued service to his country via the Senate, and the wise counsel he offers as one of the country’s leading attorneys-at-law and a highly respected elder statesman.”
