Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding is reiterating his position that the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) must provide proof of its allegations of election irregularities, saying that “failure to do so would be tantamount to taking a wrecking ball, without justification, to one of our most important institutions”.

Golding had first raised the matter in a column published in the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday this week in which he argued that the allegations should not be taken lightly. He urged the PNP to gather detailed evidence for a thorough investigation by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica before determining that the matter be elevated to an independent inquiry, as suggested by the party.

In his follow-up column on Wednesday, the former prime minister and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader noted that his recommendation was being interpreted by some people as giving credence to the PNP’s allegations and questioning the credibility of the JLP’s victory in the September 3 General Election.

“I did no such thing,” he said, describing the individuals advancing that interpretation to his views as “short-sighted” and “perhaps driven more by malice than perceptiveness”.

“Thankfully, I am not under the burden of sycophancy with which some, presumably intelligent persons, seem to be so content,” added Golding, who served as Jamaica’s eighth prime minister from September 2007 to October 2011.

He noted the allegations of vote-buying, voter suppression and other illegal acts made by the PNP at a news conference on September 11 and said, the PNP owes it to the people of Jamaica to seek to have these allegations tested for validity, a determination made and the public informed.

“The PNP does not enjoy the luxury of a careless blogger that is free to post any foolishness on social media and accept no responsibility for its truth or accuracy,” he said, adding that the party has been, for the last 80 years, one of the two dominant political parties in Jamaica and today forms the parliamentary Opposition, having received the support of almost 50 per cent of the electors who voted in September 3 election.

“Our electoral system is a crucial gatekeeper of our democracy. Its management and the conduct of our elections have been recognised internationally for its efficiency and integrity and, most importantly, has earned the trust and confidence of the Jamaican people. We cannot afford to mess with that,” the former chief executive insisted.

He said if the allegations prove to be valid, legal action as well as corrective legislative and administrative steps must be taken. However, if they turn out to be false, “that must be exposed and those who knowingly made false claims must be made to bear the shame and be charged for public mischief if it rises to that level”.

Full column on Page 14