A day after the two major political parties issued a joint statement through their leaders denouncing violence and committing to peace and peaceful elections, the parties again reaffirmed their commitment, when representatives of five Corporate Area constituencies signed the Political Code of Conduct at the Hunts Bay Police Station yesterday.

The signing ceremony brought out the sitting members of parliament and their challengers for St Andrew South West; East Central; Western; North West and West Central.

The five constituencies are stretched across the policing division of the St Andrew South and include constituencies which have, in the past, registered more votes than eligible voters; have had voting disrupted by violence or other electoral fraud; the stealing of, and stuffing of ballot boxes, and have had votes declared void by the Constituted Authority in 1997.

It is the police division which has recorded the highest number of homicides in nine of the last 10 years.

Three of these constituencies will see electors voting in the August 27 polls after the electronic verification of their fingerprints before the issue of ballots.

Commanding officer for the division, Superintendent Derrick “Cowboy” Knight said the invitation was extended to candidates of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP), the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the National Democratic Movement (NDM).

However, only PNP and JLP representatives were present for the ceremony.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in her address before the signing, told the gathering inside the Hunts Bay Police Station conference room that she was committed to upholding the provisions of the Code of Conduct.

“I hope that despite the challenges that we have in the division from time to time, that in this division, the people will demonstrate, and the candidates from both political parties will demonstrate that we are very serious, we are sincere, and we are determined to live up to the code.

JLP Deputy Leader for Area Council 1 Derrick Smith, the MP for St Andrew North-West, also gave his personal and party’s commitment to peace, peaceful elections, and a peaceful Jamaica.

Commending the police for working in an extremely violent division, he said, he hopes the ceremony was not only a photo opportunity for politicians, but it must deal with sincerity.

Earl Simpson, an assistant director at the Electoral Office of Jamaica reiterated the EOJ’s readiness for the polls.

He said the electronic voter verification system would be used fully in the St Andrew Western, South-Western, and West-Central constituencies, while about 50 per cent of voters in St Andrew East-Central will vote using the system.

The voter verification system will also be used in two locations in the St Andrew North Western constituency.

The meeting was not without its light moments.

Smith mentioned that the meeting was being held on the 17-07-07, but the prime minister said she was responsible for setting that date. She also promised to consult her Bible for more information on the significance of the number 7.

Later, Smith good-naturedly allowed himself to be kissed seven times, although he tried to duck on the seventh time.