With the recent spike in crime against and amongst our precious children, we should be putting ideology aside to make our country safe. With the economy of the world in crisis and signs that Jamaica is indeed being affected, we need all hands on deck working as one to protect the most vulnerable among us.

In these dire circumstances as the song says, "We the people here don't want no war." Our electoral system, overseen by a bipartisan Electoral Commission, pronounced the victory in last year's general election for the JLP.

JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN

It was a close election, and one cannot help but admire the PNP for putting up such an excellent fight after four consecutive terms in office. But the election is long over and the country now expects the politicking to end and the country's business to be everyone's priority. Indeed, Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, with the emphasis on "loyal", is expected to be as protective of our national well-being as the governing party.

Last Thursday we gathered at the Mona Lodge for a forum presented by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica on Campaign and Party Financing, and Boundaries Redefinition.

The president of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Jean Pierre Kingsley, referred to the identification-verification system of the EOJ as "an extraordinary innovation, second to none in the world". As was the case in Canada, Kingsley recommended public funding of political parties and the intrinsic need for transparency and restrictions in political fundraising.

Lead discussant Professor Trevor Munroe described our electoral system as "approximating state-of-the-art", commenting that our political maturity "did not come easily or spontaneously". He cited five factors in our maturation: the crisis of the late 70s; the participatory approach involving the parties, civil society and academia; the ingenious design of the electoral system; building of trust; courageous and tactful leadership.

Prof Munroe reminded us that Jamaica's press freedom was rated as number one in the Western Hemisphere ahead of the USA and Canada, and number 14 in the world. In contrast, the World Bank Governance rating for corruption was "abysmally low" for Jamaica. He urged the enforcement of laws to build credibility, citing non-compliance of 55 per cent of parliamentarians in filing their financial returns as required under the Integrity of Members Act.

As they awaited the ECJ's paper on campaign financing, Senator Tom Tavares Finson said the government would abide by the convention in which "the Parliament acts on the recommendation of the ECJ without variance". Anthony Hylton offered that we had "a first-class system but left a massive loophole which is money," saying this had "a lasting impact on our underdevelopment".

Such statements give us hope, and having served the EAC and now the ECJ over the years, we must say that it is in that bipartisan setting that we have seen the nobler side of our politicians. Yet another reason why we must not rest until the Partnership for Progress becomes a reality.

We would therefore agree with closely monitored public funding and transparency so we can sever once and for all those unseen strings that are jerking some politicians away from their sworn duty. Our political representatives are some of the hardest working people we know, and the honest ones among them (and they are in the majority) should welcome this opportunity to shake off shady hangers-on.

A report on a series of public discussions on this issue, led by ECJ member Dorothy Pine-McLarty and sponsored by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), revealed that 56 per cent of Jamaicans supported political campaign financing. The mood on the floor approximated this, with church leader and columnist Devon Dick against, and private sector leader Oliver Clarke in support. Rev Dick referred to the Obama campaign which refused public funding and raised unprecedented amounts via the Internet, while Mr Clarke said the country could ill afford the $1.5 billion spent on last year's general election campaigns.

In reference to the call for accountability, the Gleaner chairman asked, "Why do our political parties need someone to force them to clean up their act?" Why indeed? He challenged our leaders to take the initiative and make a change. The media and civil society, the hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans who are fearful of crime and looming poverty must ask this question of our leaders and demand answers.

On the redefinition of boundaries, Director of Elections Orrette Fisher said that under the existing guidelines, a recommendation for 65 constituencies was in the making. This was also questioned by Oliver Clarke. He asked why our debt-ridden country would be looking to increase instead of lessen the number of our constituencies.

So how does this all link back to the shaky state of the nation? These rising public sector costs remind us, as Prime Minister Golding said at his swearing-in cere-mony, that our parliamentarians are the paid servants of the people. The very people who an Opposition member said last week "have to decide whether to pay their light bill or their medical bill". So how will this constant fighting and haranguing help? Politicians should be expending their energy on improving the plight of their constituents and not on divisive behaviour that is placing this already traumatised nation into a state of confusion.

ECJ Chairman Professor Errol Miller observed that the laws of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) were "the most enforced", but admitted a hard fact: "One of the difficulties I have had is identifying the truly righteous." This is where our free press comes in. Let us reveal and censure the unrighteous, even as we applaud those who rise above the fray and reach across party lines to put Jamaica first and foremost.

Congratulations

After a 16-year hiatus, St George's College are once again Manning Cup victors - my husband, brother and pastor are exultant. Well done, Team STGC, Coach Neville Bell and the caring parents, faculty and staff!

- lowriechin@aim.com
- www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!