Delroy Chuck
POLITICS, IN Jamaica, is simply a dirty word. Citizens associate politics with corruption, violence and evil. Politicians have not helped their image and are perceived as self-seeking, corrupt and power hungry. Yet, Jamaica needs politicians and if the best do not come forward and offer their honest and unselfish services, the worst get elected. The citizens' duty is to make a choice and to choose, from among those who offer to serve the country's interests, the best of the worst.
With election in the air and the real likelihood of an early general election, the focus is on preparing the country's electoral lists. The 1993 general elections and many others before were definitely flawed, crooked and violent. People simply did not vote, others voted for them. Things improved dramatically in 1997, and the 2002 elections were fairly well-conducted. From now on, it is just not in Jamaica's interests to query election results and it is utterly important that everyone should be satisfied that the election process is free, fair, open and available.
To be sure, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) is doing a great job to clean up the system and remove the corruption and indiscipline associated with election malpractices. However, citizens must play their part, co- operate, and become stewards of the country's interests. To begin, they must ensure that they can vote and this is only possible if they are on the new voters' list due on May 31. Yet, even at this time, the EOJ is unable to verify over 200,000 enumerated voters who cannot be found.
Residency reverification has become a challenging task. Voters believe they are already on the list and, therefore, should not be disturbed. Sadly, they are not fully aware of the present design of the reverification process. The EOJ wants to ensure that people vote in the constituency in which they live. If they have moved to another constituency, the EOJ wants their votes transferred. That is not the understanding or feelings of many voters, they feel that once they are on the voters list they should be allowed to vote in the constituency in which they were enumerated.
I have no doubt that the EOJ is correct and that people should be encouraged to vote where they live. However, I do not believe people should be forced. Jamaicans move around and if they have moved and still want to retain their votes where they were enumerated then they should be given that choice.
Sadly, Jamaicans have not fully appreciated and valued their right to vote. We did not fight for our democracy and the right to live in a free country. The rights and freedoms we enjoy are taken for granted. Our civic responsibilities are ignored and most Jamaicans are only concerned with bread and butter issues. Perhaps, our country has been so badly managed and poorly led that our people are forced into survival modes, protecting their self-interests and making ends meet and, thus, unable to consider the wider national interests. They do not, it is argued, see how voting helps them, and have become reluctant voters.
Countries, like Australia, have made voting mandatory and a fine or short term of imprisonment is the penalty. In other countries, there is no voting and citizens plea for the right to vote. In newly emerged democracies, the long lines of voters on election day, sometimes waiting in the rain, sun and snow to cast their votes should encourage even the reluctant Jamaican voters to appreciate and value their votes. The cut off for residence reverification is Friday, March 31, but I strongly urge the EOJ to extend the date to April 30, especially for voters who have moved to come forward.
In truth, the next general election could be decided by the present 'undecided'. Comrades and labourites have already decided and if the 'undecided' do not come forward, it is the committed partisans who will decide our future. Therefore, from the comfort and security of their palatial mansions or humble dwellings, the reluctant voters need to come forward, preserve their franchise and, eventually, help to shape the nation's future.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Member of Parlia-ment. He can be contacted by email at delchuck@hotmail.com
