The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has confirmed yesterday's Gleaner report that acting Director of Elections Orrette Fisher has been appointed to the post.

Fisher is to take up the job on November 1. He replaces Danville Walker who resigned in May after it was revealed in court that he had dual citizenship.

The new director of elections has served the Electoral Office of Jamaica since 1995 when he joined as assistant director of administration.

Yesterday, Fisher told The Gleaner that having being in the system for 13 years, he was ready for the job.

"I'm prepared for whatever the system might throw up," Fisher said.

When he was announced as the acting director after the resignation of Walker, ECJ Chairman Errol Miller said Fisher had proven himself.

New voters' list

One of the most immediate tasks for Fisher is the publication of the new voters' list scheduled to be released on November 30.

"We registered approximately 54,000 persons and are now doing our testing to publish the preliminary list shortly before publishing the final list on time," Fisher said yesterday.

He will also have to lead the process of the realignment of constituency boundaries.

A bill is currently before Parliament for an increase in the number of constituencies from 60 to 63.

The Gleaner understands that four parishes will be affected by the changes in constituency borders.

Kingston will lose one of its three constituencies. St James and Westmoreland will each gain one, while St Catherine's number will be increased by two to 11.

The increase would move the number of St James constituencies to five and those in Westmoreland to four.