THE EDITOR, Sir:
ONE YEAR ago, on August 31, 2001, the Member of Parliament for North West St. James, Francis Tulloch, resigned. Since then in breach of Section 45(2) of the Constitution there has been no by-election and the constituency has been without representation in Parliament.
How are the affairs of the constituency being conducted? In what other ostensibly democratic country would a similar situation be permitted?
The South-East St. Ann and Central Kingston seats have also been vacant, for ten months and two months respectively. As have several Parish Council and Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation Council seats. The total number of people unrepresented not only exceeds the population of some of our Caribbean/CARICOM partners but the combined population of several. The country should be reminded of this intolerable situation.
It is obvious that there is a gap in our system of governance and that there is need for some official mechanism to ensure that by-elections at Central and Local Government levels are held as soon as vacancies occur failing which there are appropriate sanctions.
It is my view that no Government should be allowed to get away with this insult to the people an insult compounded by the silence of the Opposition and those other parties and persons who would seek to represent the people.
From Australia to Zimbabwe the non-feasance, malfeasance and misfeasance of Presidents, Prime Ministers and other functionaries are challenged in court. Is there something wrong with Jamaica why we tolerate this sort of indignity this contempt for the law, for democracy and for the people which is becoming a habit. This is the land of Marcus Garvey, J.A.G. Smith Sr., and Claude McKay, among others - not some backwater or breadfruit republic!
Norman Washington Manley must be turning in his grave!
I am, etc.,
BERESFORD HAY
P.O. Box 1191
Kingston 8
