ST ANDREW, Jamaica – The University of the West Indies Guild of Students is making a call for a violence-free general election.

Following Sunday’s shooting incident at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Rally in Montego Bay, the Guild has called on the security forces and Jamaicans at large to facilitate a safe election period.

“There is a point when our people must realise that violence during the electoral process is an injustice to ourselves — whether gang related or stemming from political differences,” Guild President Davianne Tucker said.

As Jamaicans prepare to head to the polls on February 25, the Guild of Students is also urging the public to exercise their franchise by choosing to vote, rather than turning a blind eye.

“The interest of our country is in our hands, it is our home and it’s full time that we realise our power, our one vote is our voice,” the Guild President said.

Tucker is also urging all tertiary students to participate in the election process once they’ve been enumerated. “If anyone needs to understand that their vote holds power and worth, it is the tertiary population. We are both the current and future, Jamaica is depending on us, whether we like to believe it or not, so I encourage all tertiary students especially, to get to their polling stations on February 25.”