One of the most heart-warming images from the 2025 election campaign period to date showed wide grins across the faces of People’s National Party (PNP) supporter Ms Shericka Stevenson and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) enthusiast Ms Audrey Reid in a much-appreciated display of unity on nomination day in Trench Town, St Andrew.

The picture, captured by Jamaica Observer photographer Mr Naphtali Junior, showed each woman sporting the colours of her party of choice. Comrade Stevenson’s clenched fist was raised in the PNP’s well known salute, while the index and middle fingers of Ms Reid’s right hand formed the JLP’s oft-used ‘V’ for victory. The left side of Ms Stevenson’s head rested comfortably in the spot between Ms Reid’s right cheek and shoulder as they posed for the camera.

It was a moment of pure joy, made even more precious because in the lead-up to nomination day there had been worrying signs of escalating rhetoric and election campaign paraphernalia being routinely damaged on both sides.

Tempers have cooled, thankfully, and it has been heartening to see Jamaicans such as Misses Stevenson and Reid engaged in light-hearted banter and bursts of camaraderie on the streets.

But as the orange- and green-clad masses shout themselves hoarse, one cannot help but wonder how much of this will translate into actual votes.

How prepared is Jamaica’s electorate for September 3?

Prepared means being on the voters’ list and, if you are not, alas, it is too late to remedy that for the impending event.

Prepared means being informed about the candidates and issues, so we suggest that in addition to soaking up the vibes at political rallies and filling social media comment sections with orange and green hearts, some time could be invested in combing through the manifestos when both complete versions are in hand.

It may also be helpful to watch the national political debates. The first was Saturday night and, if you missed it, it should be on the social media pages of the Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) and the Jamaica Observer.

There are two others planned, one for August 26 and the other August 28; they all begin at 9:00 pm.

Thoughtfully included in a supplement in Friday’s edition of the Jamaica Observer, the JDC has a scorecard that can be used to keep track of how the candidates stack up against your expectations.

It would be remiss of us if we did not point out that being prepared also means taking all the necessary steps to make voting as efficient as possible on election day. That means identifying your polling station and mapping out the best route to get there — if your candidate hasn’t already done this for you.

Any individual who works an eight-hour shift is allowed, by law, three hours off to exercise their democratic right. We urge you to make the most of your three hours. Factor in travel time, especially if your vote is in another parish, and do everything you can to be prepared before September 3.

That includes having a valid voter’s ID card.

As the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) recently indicated, there are about 120,000 of these cards in its offices waiting to be picked up by electors. Many of them, it noted, belong to individuals who registered to vote as far back as 2016.

While votes may be cast without the card, this lengthens the process as each voter would need to complete a form and take an oath. So, in the interest of efficiency and smooth casting of ballots, we join Director of Elections Glasspole Brown in his call for voter ID cards left languishing at EOJ offices across Jamaica to be collected as soon as possible. The list of EOJ constituency offices is available on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica’s website.

Are you ready to vote? The clock is ticking.