KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Press Association of Jamaica says it is alarmed at news that the National Political Debates may not be held.

The PAJ in a release a short while ago said that it is of national importance that the Debates be held, with the participation of both major political parties.

“The election campaign is very short, which already limits the amount of time the public and media have to probe the positions of the individual candidates and their parties. To eliminate what has become an important source of information for the public would be a huge step backwards, and one we would condemn strongly,” says PAJ President Dionne Jackson Miller.

It would be unacceptable in a modern Jamaican democracy for either of the parties to refuse the public the opportunity to see and hear its representatives questioned about issues of national importance, the PAJ release added.

The PAJ said it is therefore urging the two parties to find other avenues to work out their differences, and not use the political debates for that purpose. The Association strongly urges the People’s National Party, as the party which has not yet agreed to the debates, to do so in the national interest.

The PAJ commends the Debates Commission for its tremendous work over the years in staging the national political debates, and calls for all well-thinking Jamaicans and civil society organisations to speak out, and join the call to ensure that the National Political Debates are again held, as the public expects.