Let’s face it, the Government is a coward, so was the Opposition
No one is fooled by the spin that the Government is trying to put on its postponement, again, of local government elections.
According to Local Government and Community Development Minister Noel Arscott, there is a need to “implement elements of the Local Government Reform programme” and “complete the revision of electoral boundaries in the Portmore Municipality”.
While both issues are important, using them as excuses to postpone the vote is, of course, balderdash. What is absolutely clear is that the Administration doesn’t have the guts to face the electorate at this time, given the austerity of the unavoidable economic reform programme.
The fact is that people are hurting as the measures kick in, fuelling growing anger at our legislators who, through sheer recklessness and political opportunism over the past 40 years, are responsible for the position in which Jamaica now finds itself.
Amidst the Administration’s drivel is the laughable and insulting posture of the Opposition on this issue, because when it last formed the Government it showed equal cowardice in holding local government elections.
At the time the excuses were the limited State of Emergency in the Corporate Area following the security forces operation in Tivoli Gardens to arrest Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, and, surprise! Surprise! local government reform issues.
Of course, the People’s National Party, which was then in Opposition, lambasted the Government, saying that it was fearful of facing the electorate.
What this all demonstrates is a weakness in our governance system, as the right of Jamaicans to exercise their franchise is held hostage by the Government of the day.
Why should any electoral process in this country be made to wait until the Government feels confident that it has a chance of victory?
It’s a system that needs to be changed, not just for local government elections, but general elections as well.
The reform process being applied to local government elections should be expanded to parliamentary elections and should, we suggest, provide a fixed date for balloting.
That, we believe, will help to instill public confidence in the electoral system, because the cynicism now affecting the process is being fuelled by its Machiavellian nature.
The country also needs to seriously consider the economic benefit of having both local and general elections at the same time.
As we have pointed out before in this space, such a venture will save the country at least $500 million, as the arrangements associated with the holding of elections are not cheap. The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has told us that it will cost $1.2 billion to finance the local government election.
In addition, the ECJ will also need another $2 billion for a voter re-verification exercise.
Having both elections at the same time makes perfect sense, and cannot be too difficult to do. After all, it is done in other countries, some of which have fewer resources than Jamaica.
