Delroy Chuck AFTER MUCH delay, the Local Government election is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, almost two years late. At this time, there is not much interest, and an underlying current that the result is not important. Yet, in many respects, and certainly for the average citizen, the upcoming local election is as important as the General Elections. For most residential communities, it is the councillors who are responsible for the provision of proper utilities, roads, gullies, verges, open lots, approval of housing developments, garbage collection, and many of the daily problems that affect and inconvenience the ordinary citizen.
Admittedly, the hype and passion of General Elections are absent and it is difficult, extremely difficult, to excite the voters to make the effort and vote in the local government elections. That is really sad, as politics is playing a larger and more absorbing role in virtually everything that happens in Jamaica. I believe that every citizen has a part to play in the path our country takes, or fails to take. It is simply nonsense to argue that one vote doesn't count and that it cannot change the outcome of an election. In the General Elections of October 16, 2002, a couple hundred votes in five constituencies could have changed the government. And, certainly, in the local elections, many divisions will be decided by less than a dozen votes. Your vote could make the difference.
EVERY VOTER HAS A RIGHT
More importantly, every voter has a right, perhaps a duty, to send a strong message to the government of the day on its performance. If the government is doing a great job, then it is only right and proper that the people should vote overwhelmingly for its candidates so the government can get the message of how well it is performing. Alternatively, if the government is performing poorly, then the people have a duty and burden to use the result of this election to send a compelling message of protest and urge it to shape up or ship out. Truly, I am really tired of hearing the constant complaints and perennial bickering about the failure of the present government and, when the time comes to participate in the democratic process, the same people who complain and bicker are the ones who fail to participate. Your vote is a judgement on the government's performance.
The election on Thursday, June 19, is a golden opportunity for the citizens to register their approval or protest. Those who stay away from the polls would have failed in their duty to themselves, their children, future generations and the country, as their nonchalance or indifference is the surest indication that the future of this country is of no concern. Every citizen has a duty to reflect, think and pass judgement on our present state of affairs. Many may want to protest and demonstrate in the streets, and that time may well emerge, but now is the time to use a simple ballot to register approval or disappointment.
NORMAL ISSUES IN ABNORMAL TIMES
Normally, this election should be about local issues, about which candidate can best represent the Division, serve the interests of the people, improve and beautify communities, etc. Yes, the local issues are of seminal importance and should not be ignored. But, these are not normal times. The country is now experiencing its worst economic state since Independence and an accumulated debt burden, which threatens to destroy the social order. Since the General Elections, the people are waking up to the reality that the government lied and misinformed the people of the true state of affairs, covered up the widening deficit and quietly provided a massive public sector salary increase that the country cannot afford (and for the records, I have stated before, and repeat, I will not take the salary increase, I will use it for some project(s) in my constituency).
Our currency faces imminent collapse and, but for the elections, would probably be heading for 75 or 80 to one. However, with an election in the air, it is not in the interest of the government to have a runaway currency and send the wrong message. So, use up the savings, blame the speculators, threaten the financial institutions, curry favour with the private sector and disturb the market forces to give the impression of stability, if only for a limited period. Well, do you think the evangelical zeal of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and their supporters can control the value of the dollar?
THE DOLLAR AND THE CAMPAIGN
The value of the dollar is about demand and supply, trust and confidence, and whether the Jamaican dollar can store its value. If buyers are prepared to pay 70 to one, and many were, then it is only a matter of time before the market takes the value of the currency to that level again. I have no doubt that the correct approach should have been to attempt to support the dollar at the level it had sunk, instead of revaluing primarily for political purposes, when in due course it will sink again. Naturally, the government will use the revaluation of the dollar as a part of the campaign, which true to form it has already done.
When the currency starts to slide again, what will you say and how would you have voted? If you take time out to vote and send a message to the government that only investment and production, good economic management and prudent fiscal policies can protect the value of our currency then you would have done yourself and the country a good service and performed your duty. At the end of the day, I urge every citizen to come out and vote, encourage others to do the same, as more than ever we need to decide whether or not we are on the right path.
I contend we are not on the right track. If this government should win the election then there is obviously no reason to govern the country any differently than it is presently doing. It is time to send a message of protest and censure that all is not well. Exercise your democratic right and vote.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by e-mail at delchuck@hotmail.com.
