Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Delroy Chuck (second left) Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew, passes a pen to the PNP candidate, Leonard Green, during the signing of a covenant document for violence-free elections in the constituency yesterday. Assisting them with the papers is chairman of the Greater Grant's Pen Ministers' Fraternal, Earl Morgan (left), while deputy chairman of the Fraternal, Glenroy Price, looks on.JAMAICA LABOUR Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew, Delroy Chuck, and the People's National Party (PNP) candidate for the constituency, Leonard Green, yesterday denounced the practice of painting political slogans on walls and streets in the area and pledged to use their influence to wipe it out.
The two politicians came together under the influence of the Greater Grant's Pen Ministers' Fraternal, at the Barbican Baptist Church in the area. They also signed a covenant document, a document advocating violence-free elections in the constituency.
Addressing the issue of political graffiti which was denounced by Mr. Chuck in his speech after the signing of the covenant, Mr. Green said, ""I have said openly that under my watch paint-up politics will not be (tolerated)."
Mr. Green, however, pointed out that while travelling on Shortwood Road in the area earlier, he observed freshly paint JLP political slogans in the road. Mr. Chuck explained that the graffiti, had since been cleaned up and that old slogans along Grant's Pen road would also be cleaned up.
In the spirit of the covenant, Mr. Chuck urged members of his constituency who are passionate about politics, to discuss, the issues amicably.
"We (himself and Mr. Green) are not fighting, we are not quarrelling and we want to tell our supporters in Grant's Pen that there is no need for physical confrontation," said Mr. Chuck.
"...Another election is around the corner and whether it is next month or later on during the year, it must remain violence-free," he added.
In his comments before the signing of the covenant between the two candidates, chairman of the Ministers' Fraternal, Earl Morgan said, "It is hoped that this public expression will have a sobering effect on their supporters, so that they can see for themselves that their representatives are strongly supporting an election that is free and fair."
Under the covenant, both leaders condemned all forms of violence and intimidation in the political process and called on their supporters to refrain from violence, or face expulsion from the party.
They also pledged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and to stop using inflammatory language which may incite political violence, among other things.
