As Jamaicans headed to the polls Wednesday in the general elections, a Jamaica Observer focus group identified several key issues that would influence their decisions.

These pressing concerns included cost of living, education, healthcare, proper social services, and accountability.
The campaign period has seen robust public discussions on various policy proposals, particularly those aimed at addressing the rising cost of living. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has pledged to gradually increase the minimum wage from $16,000 to $32,000 in its third term, while the People’s National Party (PNP) has proposed raising the income tax threshold to $3.5 million should it form the next government.

These policy debates, along with concerns over education and corruption, are expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election, which was expected to be a closely contested race to form the next government.

For one of the Observer panelists, education and healthcare would factor high among the issues that matter to him.

“Why education? Education can ensure everything else happens. Good education, good workforce, good leaders would [all] produce [a] better economy, [ensure the] economy grow[s], and from that, healthcare can be taken care of, [and] cost of living cab be taken care of,” he argued.

He further opined that education in Jamaica is in “shambles”.

Elaborating, he said: “I remember I read a report about 10 years ago that 30 per cent of high school leavers… had three CXC’s and more. That is poor.”

For a female panelist, cost of living was important to her, given that many citizens were tired of “living hand to mouth”.
Another woman pointed out that the effective maintenance of the country’s systems and processes were vital to her.

“I want to make sure that I know when the garbage truck is coming. I don’t know where you can find that information. I want to be able to know how you spend my CDF (Constituency Development Fund); where can I go and find that? Do you have a website where I know how much is spent in what area? So accountability is important,” she explained.

In addition, she said stable macro-economic indicators, as well as effective social services, were important.

“There is only one clinic in my area, and it serves two constituencies. So waiting on a Wednesday by Sunrise Clinic is hours long. I might not have the money to go to a private doctor, so I want to make sure the social services work, the processes work, and most importantly, that [when] I need to find you as my MP to talk to you, that I know when your constituency hours are and if you’re gonna be there,” the woman stated.