THE REUTERS news agency photograph we published on this page yesterday showed an electronic ballot box, one of hundreds of thousands to be used in Brazil on Sunday in what is described as the world's biggest electronic election.
After several years of attempting to modernise our own system Jamaica has not yet reached that stage of development. But it is conceded by most observers that changes put in place for October 16 show a level of preparedness greater than ever achieved in all previous 13 General Elections since 1944.
The Electoral Advisory Committee and the Electoral Office of Jamaica have managed between them to produce what is claimed as the cleanest voters list. A high quality of electoral staff has been sought by careful selection and training with the objective of eliminating as far as is possible party activists who might be tempted to corrupt the system.
And to the extent that electronic technology has been employed it has been directed to ensuring the integrity of the lists and the procedures to identify legitimate voters.
The test of the level of preparedness is that there has been a minimum of complaints from the political parties; the sole exception being the differences arising between the authorities and the United People's Party over its failed application for scrutineer status.
The ultimate test, however, will come on Election Day. Until then the human factor will determine how far electoral reform has reached in this country. Nomination Day provided welcome instances of mutual celebration by supporters of both major parties, dancing together in the streets.
But elsewhere there have been sporadic incidents of confrontation suggesting that the basic instincts of political enmity still survive to some degree.
It is also difficult to differentiate the persistent gun killings involving criminal gangs and other conflict which might or might not be politically motivated.
In such circumstance we urge the political leaders to use their platforms with moderation and prevail upon all candidates to do likewise. We may not boast the electronic sophistication of Brazil; but peaceful voting can be equally impressive.
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