We are told that in excess of 40,000 police, soldiers, and election day workers were eligible to vote on Thursday ahead of Monday’s local government election when more than two million people will be eligible.

Let’s bear in mind that these polls to elect municipal representatives are of particular importance since, for one reason or another
— not least the COVID-19 pandemic
— none has been held since 2016.

How is it, then, that the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), which is seeking to assert its credibility following devastating defeat in the parliamentary poll of 2020, only released its local government election manifesto on Thursday?

Worse, much worse, the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which forms the Government and, as such, sets the agenda above and beyond its opponents, is yet to release its policy document up to late Thursday.

It’s hard not to conclude that the tardiness on the part of our two major political parties, which have shared power since 1944, shows serious disrespect for the people they claim to serve.

At best, it would appear there is serious deficit in planning and organisational efficiency at the executive level
— a bad look for all involved.

And, having quickly gone through the PNP’s proposed policies for local governance we have to conclude that the Opposition is probably kicking itself.

For, in our view, the relatively easy-to-read, 16-page document could have been more than useful in heightening that party’s stocks had there been adequate time for constructive discussion ahead of the municipal polls.

We are particularly taken with the idea of involving communities in taking charge of their own affairs through participatory democracy and thorough consultation.

Such ideas are not new for the PNP. A major difficulty in the past has been inadequate execution, which undermines support by the general public.

This newspaper is on record, going back years, urging mobilisation of communities so people can better help themselves in every respect, not least working with the police to combat criminals.

We applaud the proposed revitalisation of former National Security Minister Peter Bunting’s Unite for Change community-driven strategy which, to our mind, was among the more progressive anti-crime initiatives attempted by the PNP Government of 2011-2016.

Curiously, Unite for Change, described in the PNP’s manifesto as a “multifaceted approach to citizen security”, was publicly embraced by then National Security Minister Mr Robert Montague shortly after the JLP took power in 2016, only for nothing more to be heard about it thereafter.

We believe the plan for more resources to flow through the Social Development Commission for the strengthening and legitimising of groups such as citizens’ associations, police youth clubs, and neighbourhood watches makes sense.

So, too, “empowering” of community and parish development committees.

In our view, there can be no substitute for people mobilisation when it comes to fighting crime/antisocial behaviour and in building positives.

Crucially, of course, those seeking to implement policy must listen to the people. One-way communication does not work.

Also, as we have said repeatedly in this space, political opponents and the widest possible cross section of society must be engaged. Otherwise, failure beckons.