KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) says it has written the general secretaries of both the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) proposing a new schedule of debates ahead of the February 25 General Elections.

The JDC, in a statement, said that late last week it wrote to PNP General Secretary Paul Burke advising that it could no longer commit to staging the first of three proposed debates on Tuesday February 16, as the party had not provided a response in time for adequate planning and execution of a debate on that date.

 It noted nonetheless that it was still prepared to stage the debates provided a satisfactory schedule could be agreed by both political parties. PNP General Secretary Paul Burke committed to providing a response today, the statement said..

In its letter to the political parties, the JDC said it acknowledged the fact that a response was imminent from the PNP, and at the same time, given the short window of opportunity, asked both parties to consider a schedule of Friday February 19, Saturday February 20 and Sunday February 21 for the Social Issues, Economic Issues and Leaders’ debates respectively.

Both parties were asked to respond to the JDC by 5:00 pm today.