Dear Editor,

A write-in candidate is one in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot but for whom voters may vote nonetheless, by writing in the person’s name on election day. Write-in candidates have been elected in the US, Sweden, Brazil and Ecuador among other countries.

Some US states allow voters to paste a sticker with the name of a candidate they perceived should have been given the opportunity to contest the election. Write-in candidates rarely win, and votes are often cast for ineligible people or even fictional characters. Franklin D Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F Kennedy are counted among those who have won by write-in votes.

In recent times, we have seen ‘in-fighting’ within Jamaican political parties as incumbents feel threatened by a challenge, especially if the incumbent was thrown into the constituency for the sake of winning a seat and fails to perform. We have seen the preference of the Jamaican people to be represented by ‘one of their own’, someone they trust and have a rapport with, either through family and committed community advocacy and leadership.

Currently, the political scuffle within the JLP between MP Gregory Mair and Sharon Hay-Webster sees establishment seat filler against constituency native and people’s likely preference. The initial statements suggest the fear of Mair ‘losing power’; such thinking continues to hamper our governance and democratic development, as the ability to perform and represent is linked with being “in power”. This is also a constitution reform issue that should give greater role and muscle to Government, Opposition and the people.

The Jamaican electoral system should consider the spirit of write-in candidates and encourage independent ones. I believe that political representatives put forward for the people’s selection, from whichever political party, should have years of hard work on the ground, should be familiar with the development plans for the constituency, and can better understand the needs of the area than any newcomer politician. This could stir more participation within the democratic process. Further, allowing people to suggest a preferred choice creates some level of trust and satisfaction.

Mario Boothe

m.raphael.b@gmail.com