Dear Editor,

It would be pointless for me to repeat or go over Section 40 of the Jamaica Constitution, which prevents certain dual citizens from sitting inside Gordon House. Although prior to the September 3, 2007 general election, then director of elections Danville Walker informed the nation that all those who were running for a seat inside the Jamaican Parliament should meet the requirements, before, during, and after the general election, people on both sides of the aisle have dual citizenship. I must say thanks to attorney-at-law Abe Dabdoub for the knowledge or awareness in regards to Section 40 of the Constitution that was not known to many.

Now that it is known, and several members of parliament have to be taken to court in order to be ousted, then came the by-elections which come at a price. What next do the powers that be have in store for the people? Just days ago, there was a by-election in the NE St Ann Constituency, wherein Shahine Robinson of the JLP who has denied her allegiance for months and was ousted by the court, has been re-elected as MP. What amazed me though, is the fact that the People’s National Party did not field a candidate after so many months of bickering. Why did they not contest?

Did the influential Peter Bunting not consult with the Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller to find a suitable candidate?

I believe that the PNP has failed its supporters, since the party did not field a candidate after claiming it had made its point in the dual-citizenship court case to have Robinson ousted.

It is a shame that we still have to be going to the courts. Does it mean that we can’t interpret our own constitution? Or does it mean that the politicians have taken the people for granted? What a shame on the powers that be. It is time that the Speaker of the House or the government settle the dual-citizenship matter for the benefit of future politicians.

Charlie Brown

charliebrown1004@hotmail.com