Delroy Chuck

With the announcement of the election date, the political environment gets more intense. Why the Prime Minister should allow seven more weeks of demanding, non-stop and expensive campaigning is known only to her. Her ministers, officers and close confidantes were unaware of the chosen date until announced and, to my certain knowledge, many PNP candidates expected a July date.

Political campaigning costs lots of money

Political campaigning demands money, lots of money. A long campaign hurts. The candidate who walks around with an empty pocket, even with the best of intentions and sound issues, is severely handicapped. At the same time, money is not everything and is not the only key to political success. It is not the richest and best-endowed candidate who wins. I know of many candidates who outspent their opponents in elections but failed. If the money is not wisely used, it brings little value to the political process.

At election time, in spite of what the candidates have done and spent over the past months and years, the demands for money, benefits, handouts and favours become unbearable. In marginal seats, every vote counts and candidates are kept on tenterhooks by voters who know how precious each vote becomes. Is it any wonder that, at this time, huge sums of money are being spent on individual voters by MPs, especially government MPs, who are seeking re-election in marginal seats? Reports are circulating of voters getting $12,000, $15,000 and $20,000 government-initiated cheques to buy groceries and assorted products. Money is being wasted on government-generated contracts, not to get value for money, but to put money into the hands of activists and supporters. Then, we ask, why the country is incapable of growing significantly under a PNP administration?

Dons demand support money

Most disgracefully, at this time, the 'lumpens' and 'wannabee' dons demand hard cash for political support and participation. In the inner cities, where community dons are, they take control and mobilise support for the candidates and do so in exchange for cash. Many 'wannabee' dons have no votes, are not politically committed but are simply extortionists. They see election as their jackpots to earn and extort as much as possible from the candidates. Foolish candidates succumb to them and then become their pawns in the political process. Sadly, on both sides of the political fence, candidates allow themselves to be manipulated and let evil-doers and political wrongdoers triumph when, with moral strength and sound character, they should put the national interests and decency above everything.

The present legislation before Parliament to make open voting illegal is quite admirable, and in response to the exchange of money for votes. In many rural and inner-city constituencies, votersare paid, usually a $1,000 per vote. The legislation is meant to eliminate or at least reduce the love of money for votes. The Electoral Commission has done a marvellous job to ensure that voters can exercise their franchise in secret and without fear. Voters should now be urged to take whatever political benefits come their way but go into the polling booth and vote their conscience.

The 15th general election in Jamaica should see a new beginning, where money is spent by candidates to improve the political process, promote democracy and not to buy favours and votes. The voices of the churches, media, professional organisations and community leaders should echo across the nation urging voters to vote and to reject politicians who avoid the issues and merely seek to purchase votes.

Jamaica will never become a better place if the people's conscience can be so easily purchased and their votes are worth nothing more than a few thousand dollars. The pastors and civil leaders of our nation should set aside their political preferences and strengthen the conscience of our people to do what is right, just and in the country's best interests.