With local government elections due by the end of next month we are starting to see an increase in activity among diehard supporters of both major political parties, particularly on social media platforms, where truth is most often sacrificed.

That unfortunate reality will worsen as this silly season gets into full swing. As such, we urge Jamaicans to view the deluge of claims, counter-claims, and comments with scepticism, and try as best as possible to determine truth from fiction in order to make informed decisions when they cast their votes.

The looming poll, though, has revived our interest in seeing the country move to the point of holding general and local government elections on the same day. It’s a position we have advocated in this space for many years and which has found favour with election officials and the political directorate.

Readers who keep abreast of political matters will recall that, in June 2020, Director of Elections Mr Glasspole Brown told a meeting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee at Gordon House that the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has the capability to hold both elections on the same day.

Noting the $2.4 billion set aside in the 2020-21 budget for both elections, Mr Brown said: “Our preliminary estimate is that, if we are able to combine both elections, you’d be looking at savings close to three-quarters of a billion dollars.”

He advised that if such a decision were to be taken, the EOJ would require additional time to complete activities required under the Representation of the People Act (ROPA).

“We think we could work with a minimum of 32 days between nomination [and election day]. You’re talking about printing two million ballots for the two elections, and you’re going to now print four million ballots, and there are a number of additional things that need to be done,” Mr Brown said at the time.

The following month, then Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Mr Karl Samuda gave notice that the Administration intended to table a motion to amend the ROPA to facilitate the holding of general and local government elections on the same date.

Mr Samuda gave notice on behalf of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, saying the motion would have been tabled at the next meeting of the House.

The country is still awaiting that action.

Under the ROPA, nomination day must be scheduled a minimum of five days and a maximum of seven days after the announcement of an election. Additionally, there must be a minimum of 16 days and a maximum of 23 days between nomination and election days.

Realistically, Jamaica won’t move to the ideal of same day for both polls by next month, but our legislators can start the process now if they are really committed to it, and if they agree that it will significantly save taxpayers money, as outlined by the EOJ.

We also reiterate our belief that, combined with both elections being held on the same day, we should legislate a fixed date for balloting, as the right of Jamaicans to exercise their franchise should not be held hostage by the country’s chief executive.

That is a weakness inherited from the Westminster system that contributes to the increasing cynicism affecting the political process.