At a press conference on September 11 the leadership of the People’s National Party (PNP) made allegations of significant irregularities in the September 3 General Election.

In an article published in the
Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, September 16, I stated that these allegations, unusual as they have been over several election cycles, must not be taken lightly, and I called on the PNP to come forward with the evidence so that they could be properly investigated.

Some short-sighted individuals, perhaps driven more by malice than perceptiveness, have interpreted this call as giving credence to the PNP’s allegations and questioning the credibility of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) victory in those elections. I did no such thing. Thankfully, I am not under the burden of sycophancy with which some, presumably intelligent people, seem to be so content.

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. It 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.

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.

Caesar’s wife, Pompeia, may not have been a perfect wife but, in terms of fidelity, she was expected to be above even suspicion. So, too, is our electoral system. 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. Failure to do so would be tantamount to taking a wrecking ball, without justification, to one of our most important institutions.

The JLP has called on the PNP to put up or shut up. Shutting up without putting up does not remove the smear that has been left or the damage that has been done, and the PNP cannot be allowed to simply slither away like a snake seeking a hiding place. And time is of the essence, because a cloud of suspicion has been placed over an arrangement which we have come to revere, and for as long as it is allowed to remain, it will undermine our trust and confidence.

The PNP claimed that people waiting in line at 5:00 pm at some polling stations were not allowed to vote. It gave no indication as to which polling stations these were or even the constituencies to which they belong. Have voters who were not allowed to vote, despite being in the line at 5:00 pm, been approached to provide written statements to that effect? How many such statements have been provided and what has become of them?

Another allegation by the PNP is that money was used to induce individuals — presumably PNP supporters — not to vote and even to dip their fingers in ink so as to ensure that they would not be allowed to vote on election day. This is a criminal offence under section 91 of the Representation of the People Act. Has any of them, especially those who refused the offer, provided statements to that effect? Have these statements been turned over to the police for investigation and, possibly, criminal charges?

PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell asserted that a PNP indoor agent was offered $100,000 not to turn up for duty at the polling station on election day. Has that agent provided a written statement to that effect and, if so, what action has the party taken?

Dr Campbell also alleged that at some polling stations voters were placed in separate lines, according to how they intended to vote. A really ludicrous claim in my view, since I cannot imagine someone posing that question to voters or them — apart from those clad in green or orange who would not need to be interrogated — willingly indicating their intention. This would constitute a criminal offence under section 78 of the Representation of the People Act. At which polling stations did this happen? Have any statements been collected to substantiate this? What has been done with those statements?

The PNP has also raised questions about the election of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness in the constituency of St Andrew West Central that it is contemplating referring to the Constituted Authority which is empowered to nullify the election in any constituency. It offered no particulars of the malpractices on which such a referral would be grounded. Dr Holness’s majority of just over 2,000 votes is not out of line with the majorities he has enjoyed over the last few election cycles, apart from the anomalous 2020 election when the PNP was deluged. The significance of this is that if Dr Holness was not duly elected as a Member of Parliament he would not be qualified to be sworn in as prime minister.

At the September 11 press conference, PNP President Mark Golding stated: “We are going into the field to do a survey so we can get more tangible information rather than the indirect reports we have been receiving through social media and the campaign structures we have. At that point we can decide where we go from there.” How far has that survey reached? What was derived and where are they going from there?

As I have said before, our electoral system is of fundamental importance to our nation. Any challenge to its integrity must be treated seriously — not dismissed out of hand as some sycophants are wont to do — and those who mount that challenge must do more than cry wolf as a means of assuaging their supporters for their election defeat. They must substantiate their claim and it must be rigorously investigated.

If it is proved to be valid, legal action as well as corrective legislative and administrative steps must be taken. If it is proved 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. Too much of what we cherish and must preserve is at stake.

Shutting up instead of putting up is not enough, nor is shutting down instead of ferreting out.

Bruce Golding served as Jamaica’s eighth prime minister from September 2007 to October 2011.

Our electoral system is a crucial gatekeeper of our democracy.l

Any challenge to the integrity of Jamaica’s electoral system must be treated seriously.l

Bruce Golding,