Exercise your franchise — Vote!
Today, just over 1.8 million enumerated Jamaicans have the right to vote in the 17th general election since universal adult suffrage was first introduced in 1944.
This newspaper is urging all who are enumerated to exercise their right to vote, and we hope that when a vote is cast it is based on careful examination of the issues as espoused by the parties seeking to form the next Government of Jamaica and thereby entrusted with the hopes and aspirations of all Jamaicans.
The two major political parties have been robustly campaigning over the last three weeks. There have been the expected claims and counterclaims, accusations and responses, plus the always popular and traditional jocular quips, which help to bring light-heartedness and mirth to our politics.
During the campaign there have been some incidents of violence; people have been injured and a least two have died.
We condemn those incidents and express sympathy to the families of the victims.
However, what is quite evident, despite the heavy campaigning by the People’s National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party, is that Jamaica’s experience today is a far cry from the violence-stricken years of the past, especially 1980 when a virtual civil war developed, taking the lives of over 800 Jamaicans.
All Jamaicans should see it as their duty to ensure that we do not return to those dark days. The country has made significant strides since the reconstitution of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (EOJ) on December 1, 2006 to set the rules and to administer the holding of parliamentary and local government elections. The Representation of the People Act (ROPA) has been fortified by the introduction of new laws, which seek to eliminate any hint of wrongdoing before, on, and after any general elections.
We are indeed pleased with the work of the EOJ over the years as through its commitment and innovativeness, we now have in place an electoral process which is fair, which is civil, and which we can now say is based on the universal principle of one man, one vote.
By exercising the right to vote, Jamaicans will play their part, and a major part it is, in assisting the growth of the country’s still fledgling democracy. Again, we urge all Jamaicans who are enumerated to go out today and vote for the candidates of their choice.
In the end, it is our sincerest hope that the victors in today’s elections will celebrate their triumph in a magnanimous manner, never forgetting that the task ahead is to build a better Jamaica, a Jamaica where all citizens can work, play and develop in peace and harmony.
It is never nice to lose or accept a loss, but to the losers we say, there will always be a next time. Accept defeat graciously, refrain from any overreactions which might lead to violence and then join the process of working for Jamaica, as to do anything else will severely impair and tarnish Jamaica’s good name.
This is Jamaica, our Jamaica, let us remember that we are out of many, one people. Make your choice, it is your right which our forefathers have fought for and won.
Good luck to all candidates.