THE Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has responded to a challenge from Chief Justice Bryan Sykes for it to implement measures to tackle declining voter participation with a clear indication that it does not have that power.

Director of Elections Glasspole Brown on Wednesday told the Jamaica Observer that while the EOJ is concerned about voter apathy, any changes aimed at making the voting process more accessible must be determined by Parliament.

“The issue of voter apathy has been an issue that has been discussed over and over at the commission in terms of how can we have an impact in terms of encouraging persons to turn out on the day, and certainly that’s an issue of concern to the EOJ,” said Brown.