The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has confirmed receiving a formal request to oversee the upcoming leadership election for the Accompong Maroons in St. Elizabeth. Director of Elections Glasspole Brown stated that while the office is prepared to assist, it requires specific procedural particulars from the Maroon community before officially engaging in the electoral process. Brown declined to elaborate on the exact nature of these required details.
The leadership transition follows the conclusion of Colonel Richard Currie’s five-year term on February 18. Since that date, at least five community members—including former colonels and returning residents—have declared their candidacy for the position. These prospective candidates have grown increasingly impatient, accusing Currie of deliberately delaying the election announcement due to concerns about potential defeat.
Currie has publicly defended the delay, emphasizing that his current priority remains the community’s recovery from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which caused substantial devastation in October 2025. The hurricane severely damaged infrastructure, destroyed homes, and displaced numerous residents, subsequently disrupting the electoral enumeration process originally scheduled for November 2025.
Complicating matters further, Ferron Williams—a former colonel and declared candidate—revealed that the originally designated chief of elections has withdrawn from the role. This development has created an administrative vacuum, prompting considerations to appoint a replacement from within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. However, such an appointment would require formal approval from the Police Commissioner, potentially necessitating official correspondence from the Maroon community.
In a recent Instagram video address, Currie maintained his constitutional authority as chief until a formal election occurs. He appealed for patience from both local and diaspora Maroons, emphasizing the necessity of establishing a proper electoral committee and office to ensure a free and fair voting process amidst ongoing recovery efforts.