Danville Anthony Walker

Person in the News: Danville Anthony Walker

Danville Anthony Walker unexpectedly resigned after a decade as Jamaica’s Director of Elections. His sudden depature came on May 5 in the midst of a series of challenges mounted against public officials who had dual citizenship.

The People National Party’s (PNP) Western Portland caretaker Abe Dabdoub who lost the battle for the Western Portland constituency had, in his challenge against Jamaica Labour Party candidate Daryl Vaz who admitted US citizenship, questioned Walker’s eligibility to serve as Director of Elections because he too had sworn allegiance to a foreign power – the United States.

No directive had been given in relation to Walker, but the longserving public servant nevertheless opted to give up the post, forcing the Electoral Commission of Jamaica to find a replacement.

Walker has featured prominently in Jamaica’s public life for many years.

The 48-year-old retired army officer was approached twice in the last five years to take up the post of Police Commissioner - first when former Commissioner of Police Francis Forbes resigned three years ago and again following Lucius Thomas’ premature resignation last year.

Walker was born in Kingston, Jamaica on September 29, 1959. He was educated at Excelsior High School and Baruch College as well as, City University of New York.