PROFESSOR Errol Miller, the outgoing head of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), has been hailed for his selfless leadership as he ends his 12-year run as chairman of the institution.

Miller told the Jamaica Observer last week that he would resign as head of the ECJ at the end of December.

Last Tuesday, those who worked with him had nothing but praise for Miller.

"It's going to be a great loss to the commission," said Director of Elections Orrett Fisher. "I found him to be a very unselfish person who has contributed significantly to the commission."

According to Fisher, Miller has, on may occasions, "gone beyond the call of duty" in an effort to get his job done.

Attorney Nancy Anderson, a director of the election observer group Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), said it had always been a pleasure working with Miller. She said that he had always been keen to include CAFFE in the commission's plans and proposals for Parliament.

"He was a strong leader but he also saw the need to delegate," Anderson said. "He will be missed."

Attorney Tom Tavares-Finson, the Jamaica Labour Party's representative on the commission, said: "His leadership of the commission has been inspiring. He's one of the persons who has directed the forward movement of the commission."

Miller told Sunday Observer that he was leaving in order to spend more time with his wife and college-age daughter.

According to a source, commission member Dr Herbert Thompson is expected to be the next chairman.

Miller is said to have overseen the transformation of Jamaica's electoral system from one fraught with corruption, political intimidation and violence to one of the best in the world today.