We have no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic had considerable impact on the less than 38 per cent voter turnout in the 2020 General Election which the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won in overwhelming fashion.

However, available evidence suggests that a large part of the reason for the unprecedented low voter turnout for that parliamentary poll was growing disillusionment with, and even hostility towards Jamaican politics.

Our democracy is, by definition, adversarial with constitutional provisions for governing and Opposition parties in our Parliament.

However, major damage was done to our democratic traditions by the chilling, blood-curdling political violence and chicanery that marred elections here decades ago. So that, while most Jamaicans have no first-hand memory of the political “war” that plagued our country, those memories linger in our folk culture. It creates for many people a view linked to partisan politics which is coloured by deep scepticism and fear.

Persistent reports of corruption and thievery in high places have only made that negative perception worse.

We believe those negative realities largely explain the eyebrow-raising comment from respected theologian and social commentator Mr Peter Espeut that Christians will have to decide which of Jamaica’s two major political parties “will be the least of the two evils” when they vote in the upcoming general election.

Said Deacon Espeut in part: “In my view, voting is not a simple matter… Both sides are evil, both sides have done good things, but in every case you have to judge on its merits, and in the context, and I think in this particular case, Christians have to decide which of these two evil parties that have garrisons and gunmen and thugs, and so on, and tell lies and cuss bad word, and so on, which of these two evil parties is the least of the two evils. And I think in the end that is how Christians are going to have to vote in this election…”

Like it or not, whether Mr Espeut intended his comments to be viewed in such stark terms or not, the reality is that many Jamaicans — hopefully not most — view our adversarial electoral system as evil.

And both our political parties should recognise that, while the current histrionics on the campaign trail create excitement and vibe for the faithful, it is also accelerating the turn-off for a growing number of neutrals.

Our political leaders need to tone down the rhetoric which will hopefully send a strong message to their mindless followers who court conflict by tearing down and vandalising opponents’ symbols as if they believe such actions help their cause.

We are somewhat heartened by reports over recent days of candidates and political leaders urging their supporters to exercise restraint and discipline.

In that respect, it’s well known that general secretary of the People’s National Party Dr Dayton Campbell has a reputation for belligerence on political platforms. Hence, our appreciation for a suggestion on Monday on Radio Jamaica’s evening programme, Beyond the Headlines, by a clearly concerned Dr Campbell, for both party leaders to jointly encourage their supporters to desist from indiscipline and disorder.

Asked by programme host Mrs Dionne Jackson Miller if he was thinking along the lines of a joint press conference or something similar, Dr Campbell sounded amenable.

Such a gesture makes perfect sense to us.