Call local government election now, Prime Minister!
Dear Editor,
From all indications there will be a further postponement of the local government election. For certain, the election won’t be held by this month end, which is the deadline given by Parliament when it was last postponed.
The continued postponement of the local government election is an infringement on Jamaica’s democracy and shows a lack of respect for the municipal representatives and the people of Jamaica.
We need to place greater focus and importance on the role local government plays in national politics and development. Successive administrations have devalued our local representatives by treating local government as an “unwanted child”.
Our municipal councillors are integral to the smooth running of our communities. They are responsible for the proper functioning of key public facilities, amenities, and activities. They are responsible for the collection of garbage, overseeing homes for the indigent, and managing local parks, markets, and sporting grounds, among many other important roles.
To use the local government election as a political football or yo-yo is an affront to our democracy and the people who offer themselves to serve at the local level.
One of the reasons I believe many people don’t participate in the local government election is because those in central government pay scant regard to local government. It needs to be enshrined in the constitution with fixed election dates to which we must adhere so that we can choose who represents us at the local level in a reasonable timeframe.
It can’t be right that a political representative only faces the people every six, seven, or eight years! In any well-respected democratic system, whenever an election is due, it is held. Simple!
If we are going to protect our democracy and convince the electorate to take local government seriously, the Government, the Opposition, and the citizenry must showcase our seriousness and commitment towards local government. The way we treat local government is akin to an abusive relationship.
I am calling on Prime Minister Andrew Holness to announce the date for the local government election now. There are no good reasons for any further delay.
For the sake of our democracy, let us bell the cat and stand up for democracy. Are there no brave democrats in the Jamaica Labour Party who can impress on the leader the importance of local government and the democratic process? Not even one?
The word is always love!
Andre A O Wellington
Student of history and political science
andrewellington344@yahoo.com