WE feel sure that the great majority of Jamaicans are happy that uncertainty has now been removed about the date of the parliamentary election.

For, as is self-evident, uncertainty has the potential for economic and social instability.

Also, the February 25 date announced by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Sunday night means this final leg of intense political campaigning will last just over three weeks – also good, we believe.

Of course, local analysts have long suggested that the Government and the country would be better off doing away with the election before the national budget is finalised in March.

Of necessity, because of the continuing programme to reduce debt and bring balance to a long dysfunctional economy, the Budget will be tight, with little room to manoeuvre. Further, in line with the requirements of multilateral lender, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), pension reform and tax reform must be addressed.

Whichever party wins the election must deal with these fundamental issues and there will be very little wiggle room.

The ruling People’s National Party (PNP) has been striving to sell the idea to the Jamaican electorate that the work of the Government’s economic team, led by Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips, should be allowed to continue undisrupted. The PNP will be banking on the plaudits gained by Dr Phillips from sections of the business/investor community, the multilaterals and others regarding the focused approach to debt reduction and economic rebalancing.

The problem for the ruling party is that significant economic growth, which will bring meaningful employment and relief for those at the bottom of the economic ladder, has been slow in coming. The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has insisted that it has the capacity to bring the much-needed significant growth even while maintaining a stable economy; and that the ruling party is incapable in that regard.

Other issues such as Jamaica’s chronic crime problem, management of the health sector, programmes for improved water supplies and roads, et al are bound to feature prominently. But we suspect the need to get the economy moving and to put idle hands to work will be foremost in the minds of voters in the build-up to February 25.

As happens in any election, the future of party leaders could be at stake. For 70-year-old Mrs Simpson Miller, victory would allow her to end her extraordinary career on a high, just as did her predecessor Mr PJ Patterson. Defeat would almost certainly mean an unsatisfactory walk from the stage while in opposition.

For 43-year-old Mr Andrew Holness, whatever happens here, his best days as a political leader are probably still ahead. He will be well aware however, that defeat will inevitably bring into question his leadership at this time. Defeat could lead to another challenge following that by Mr Audley Shaw in 2013. Finally, we applaud Mrs Simpson Miller’s appeal to her party to play their part in ensuring a peaceful campaign, respectful of others. We expect Mr Holness and the JLP will do the same.

Yet, national elections over the last 15-20 years suggest that Jamaicans need not worry about any notable intrusion of campaign violence in 2016. Here is something for which Jamaicans should give themselves a pat on the back. In terms of political maturity this country has come a long, long way.