LISA Hanna, the Opposition member of parliament for South East St Ann, has been selected to represent Jamaica on a United Kingdom general election observer mission.

Hanna is the only representative from the Caribbean region who will be among a group of eight other young parliamentarians participating in the mission, the British High Commission in Kingston said in a release yesterday.

Members of civil society and election officials from nine other Commonwealth countries will also join the mission to observe the UK general election on May 6.The mission, organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), is to create an opportunity for Commonwealth parliamentarians, election officials and civil society representatives to gain insight into the political campaign and UK electoral processes. Observers are also being encouraged to make recommendations for the improvement of the process.

"I am honoured to be selected; the agenda is full, and there are excellent opportunities for learning. For me to observe this element of the democratic process comes at an opportune time," the release quoted Hanna.

"We have made significant strides here in Jamaica with our electoral process and I am interested in seeing if there are any next steps to be taken, especially in areas which relate to matters currently being debated, including the role of the state in funding political parties. In addition, I anticipate significant lessons in emerging technology in the area of campaigning," Hanna was quoted as saying.

The mission will run from May 2 to 9, 2010, during which Hanna and other participants will be involved in shadowing a UK MP for a day, attending training on UK electoral procedure and a session at the UK Electoral Commission. They will also be observing voting procedures at a number of polling stations.