The Editor, Sir:

Dr Peter Phillips has announced that he will challenge the sitting president of the People's National Party (PNP) for that post.

Many have different opinions about whether this challenge is wise or timely. In my opinion, this challenge can be summarised in two words: unfinished business.

This has come about because of inadequate procedures in the party to deal with presidential elections.

Simple majority

With more than two candidates for a position, there is the possibility that no one will get a majority of votes. With four candidates, as in the original presidential contest, in theory, each candidate could get roughly 25 per cent of the vote.

No one would be comfortable with the person with the largest block of votes going forward to lead the party, as the top vote-getter would hardly get a majority of the total vote.

In the presidential contest in February 2006, with four candidates contesting the race, Portia Simpson Miller got 46.7 per cent, Peter Phillips got 40.5 per cent, Omar Davies got 7.4 per cent and Karl Blythe got 5.4 per cent.

Looked at another way, a bona fide majority, 53.3 per cent, voted against Portia. Such a result should have occasioned a run-off between the two top vote-getters, and out of such a contest, there would have been an assurance that one of the two would emerge with at least a simple majority of the delegates.

A simple majority could reasonably and legitimately be called a mandate. This was all the more important because the emergent leader would also go on to be prime minister.

Run-off now

So, now that Peter has announced his challenge to Portia for the presidency, this is the run-off that should have happened two-and-a- half years ago. Unfinished business.

If the run-off had been held, then whoever won would be unassailable in that position. There would be no contest now.

I am disappointed that the PNP, known for innovation and commitment to progressive ideas and democratic practice, would let such a situation occur.

The partisans, on either side of this contest, should cool off their rhetoric and accusations and recognise that they have failed, collectively, to implement adequate rules and procedures to run such elections and are now reaping the whirlwind.

I am, etc.,

TONY WHITE

tonyw97@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica