Jamaica Debates Commission Should Revise Criteria for Debate Participation

Mario Boothe

Youth & Governance Advocate

JDC Logo

Allowing for differing views and opinion on policy to contend is a critical tenant of democracy, yet the Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) current setup seems to be ignoring the opinion of our newest political parties and those that identify with their ideology.

In May 2017, the Jamaican parliament in its wisdom approved the “Political Parties Registration Regulations”, this move was to provide for greater transparency and accountability. This also solidified these organizations as part of the democratic and electoral processes in a way they never did before. This registration includes providing organizational structures, gaining signatures and other details.

Only four (4) political parties have so far registered, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP) along with 2 newer parties including the United Independents’ Congress (UIC) and the Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP).

On November 4^th, 2021, the JDC conducted a signing of a MOU that saw the PNP and JLP commit to being a part of the organized debates ahead of the Local Government elections. The exclusion of the JPP and UIC, that are considered “third parties” on the surface may not seem like much, but this should call into question the legitimacy of the election debates.

These third parties are representing concerns not expressed by the establishment options. This was clearly displayed by the UIC’s attempted march on Gordon House this summer.

The JDC’s “Debate Manual” that outlines requirements for political party participation in debates says it cannot be the role of the JDC to provide a platform for political parties to attract national attention, in same breath outlining the hurdles that would limit third party chances in elections. The manual also outlines having public support and ability to form government (fielding candidates and providing policy) as criterion.

With General Election turnout dipping below fifty percent of recent, and Local Government elections trending even lower, it is almost certain to say that no political party has gained the confidence of majority of eligible voters.

It must be suggested that the current JDC manual and format is outdated given the legislative updates and the electoral/political realities.

The commission as a national effort by the media and private sector is excellent, but it should revaluate the necessity to rigorously gatekeep participation, when the limited opinions of the 2-party system has clearly not worked well for the people of Jamaica.

#JaNoVote2016: Misleading "Pro-Voting" Preaching

 "A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user" - Theodore Roosevelt

During the election season "pro-voting" media content and conversations become almost unbearable trying to save "nonvoters" and "undecided" from everlasting torture in pit of Hell-ocracy, with everyone reading from the same bible. 

Vote evangelists wants you to put a X beside something, thinks that everybody has to identify with a political party, and they keep skipping the first commandment of a democracy; participation. I was compelled - possibly touched - to write this with hope of relieving many "non voters" and "undecided" of their 
"sins."


I will declare that I have not voted and will not vote until I have seen a candidate or a political party or a candidate that best represents and voices the issues that concerns me the most; which includes making comprehensive constitutional and governance reform a top level priority, environmental protection, equality and closing the income gap, until that appointed time I will withhold exercising this sacred right. 


Many would immediately choose to castigate my choice, by automatically replying "If you don't use your right, you will lose it;" indeed this message intended to support citizen empowerment and participation cannot be used to justify irresponsible use or abuse of a your own rights. As I was I understand it, being a citizen in a democratic society, one has individual rights with mutually linked responsibilities. These rights ensure equality and justice for all regardless of what 'divides' us and the responsibilities are there to prevent us from infringing upon others and own rights.

Right to Vote & Its Responsibilities

If you do decide to cast your ballot then you've decided to engage in a single part of "the 
process" that is linked to generations of hardships, fights, bloodshed, activism and political 

willingness across the world. The right to have a say in who is allowed to govern locally or nationally is an awesome task and is constraint by 2 main responsibilities: become informed 
and vote according to ones certain belief.


Therefore a vote should be respected as it symbolises a conscious decision in which the chosen person or party is indeed the best representation of one's belief at that moment with all issues factored in. Hence, to defy ones conscience and express his beliefs wrongly on a ballot is to behave as a irresponsible citizen and soil the sacredness of the vote. It is then safe deduce that one should not be chastised for being an informed "non-voter" or an "undecided" who has weighed all options and come to a conclusion, those who are to be shamed are the irresponsible voters who are the legions of "die-hearts" and "party loyalist" who are uninformed and their only certain belief is that "mi is born PNP or JLP." 

A Dangerous Farce

Any political messaging that seeks to segregate or render a group of people as second class citizen must not be entertained and rebuked as dangerous to the social fabric of our nation. 

Many declared "nonvoters" and "undecided" receive flack; before, during and after election season because the prevailing belief is that "you have no say" and should not say anything because you don't vote. It is encouraged by our political leaders especially those who could benefit from higher turnouts, when they take to political platforms "looking votes" as disguised advocates of citizen involvement. The undue burden of being told how horrible not voting is, and how your allowing bad people to win.


It is a selfish practise to satisfy a politicians own shortcomings in their own inabilities to inspire 
or motivate. Which is often discussed as an aside to blaming "nonvoters" and "undecideds" for the state of nations governance and democracy. 

"The Process" and Participation

I, like so many other young, politically untethered Jamaicans are aware of the encryption and political warping since independence of what a democratic society truly represents in the 21st Century, then we can easily resist and counter the calls for "undecideds" and "non-voters" to "come off the fence" or "come into the yard," respectively. 

We know that voting is not "the process" but apart of the process that includes: 

• dialogue between state and civil society, 
• advocacy, activism, 
• volunteering, 
• affecting/writing policy, 
• old media/social media interactions, 
• civil action/protest, 
• by keeping yourself informed and the list continues. 

Discussions must begin to focus on how we get people involved not just to lead towards a ballot box but create long-lasting positive changes in their society by speaking up and speaking out against bad governance.


Only voting every 5 years cannot and shouldn't be seen as participation. One doesn't affect govt policy or hold government accountable when its convenient for the government, you have to disrupt and intervene whenever there is need to tell the government: We want Fixed Election Dates! Leave the Goat Islands! or #FireFenton!


I don't vote and I don't feel any pressure to vote, because I know I've a well informed and certain decision to withdraw from voting, nothing separates me from someone voting PNP or JLP. I subscribe to my responsibility as a citizen of democratic state to participate otherwise until I decided or find necessary to vote.

Will North East St. Elizabeth Start a Political Revolution in Jamaica?

On February 25th the voters of North East St Elizabeth will be going to polls to choose from 4 candidates (1PNP, 1JLP, 1PNP-Independent and an Independent) that have declared their interest in being the Member of Parliament for the constituency well-known as a People National Party (PNP) stronghold or garrison. But should the word “revolution” will be tagged to the race that could possible see the first Independent Member of Parliament (MP) be elected to Gordon House?

One of the Independent candidates Joseph Patterson, President of the United Independent Congress (UIC) in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, believes his campaign; victory and following historic entry into Parliament would “bring forth arevolution like never before” being the first elected Independent MP.  The United Independent Congress’s platforms are based on strong constitution and governance reform, and Mr. Patterson is committed to bringing the Congress’s platforms to parliament; reforms that the current political establishment has been unwilling to touch for over 53years.

Why is it a Revolution?       

To understand why the outcome of the North East St Elizabeth electoral race may be framed as a revolution we must first know what revolution is; the Oxford     dictionary assigns two definitions to the word “revolution”, firstly “a forcible overthrowof a government or social order, in favour of a new system,” secondly “adramatic and wide-reaching change in conditions, attitude or operation.”

Within the context of Jamaica, a two party system controlled by elected representations at both central and local government, a revolution would constitute any disruption to this system of government. We should not underestimate the ability of Jamaicans to recognize “change” as swing accordingly, hence there is no doubt in my mind that constituents in other areas of island will begin to question their own situation and stop settling for “the lesser evil.”

This change in attitude towards politics, governance and what we must begin expect and demand will no doubt only come when a single constituency decided to spark something much bigger than North East and give back Jamaica its Independence almost 54 years after it exchanged one master for another.

I encourage the all voters in North East St Elizabeth especially the youth, not to fear or intimated by whispers of revolution but embrace the fact you don’t need guns or bombs but a vote tocreate real change.

via GIPHY

Jamaica's Political Establishment Implosion and The Independent Challenger in 2016

It was to the end of 2015 that I came across the term "political resocialization" while watching a forum on youth participation in democratic conducted by the youth group Respect Jamaica an UNICEF Jamaica initiative.

Indeed the speaker eluded to the fact that the Jamaica's political  culture after the bloody and divisive period of the mid 1970's to 1980 had serious skewered how the newly independent nation defined democracy and was the beginning of the acclimatization of pre & post independence Jamaicans to tribal, dependent, corrupt and unreliable politics that has persisted even to this day with robust national development left to suffer in its wake.

Within the same period of last year as Prime Minister Simpson-Miller hinted at a very possible early election, her own party[The People's National Party] candidate selection was turned into nothing less than a circus show of the undesirable elements of politicking including accusations of corruption and favoritism, mudslinging, conspiracies of all sorts left to fester as once favored, seemingly 'working' first term Members of Parliament were replaced in their respective runoffs.

With the election a certainty in 2016 and volatility within the political establishment at an all time high, there is no doubt that the two party system is heading towards implosion as the formal structures for handling internal matters begins to buckle under the call for a more democratic process. 

This call is strongest in the rural constituency of North-East St. Elizabeth, that has been a stronghold for the PNP as the first time young turk Raymond Pryce will be replaced with another candidate after the selection; his supporters have been adamant that they will only support the party at the ballot only if MP Pryce is the candidate.

The Independent

With the opposition party Jamaica Labour Party unlikely to pose a challenge in North-East St.Elizabeth there is a growing void for representation that s by the people and for the people. Joseph Patterson, the President of the newly formed United Independent Congress(UIC) has decided to plant his feet in the divided constituency and take advantage of the weaken stronghold.

Joseph Patterson(UIC President)

The commentary and media coverage thus far
hasn't officially recognized the traction being gained by Mr Patterson's campaign and real possibility of making electoral history being the first elected Independent since Jamaica's independence in 1962. This historic moment could possibly be a political, if not democratic statement on the path forward to better governance and politics.

With an independent being supported in a constituency with a voter turnout of 32% shared among the main parties in last general election; his ability to tap into the 48% of non-voters will be crucial. With a freshness and difference about him, and the possible pride of being the first constituency to elected an Independent is certainly energizing enough to get non-voters out on the day.

With constitutional and governance reform a critical part of the UIC's mandate, Jamaica maybe heading towards a galvanizing shift away from the colonial masters inspired system of governance.

Local Authorities and Local Advisory Committees

Although there has been a major leap in central government's agenda on Local Government Reform with the passing of the 3 pieces of legislation in 2015 aimed at giving greater authority and autonomy to the local authorities to be called "Municipal Corporations" and "City Municipalities" over their own affairs.

The laws are by no means perfect but are the result of many years of study and lobbying by
stakeholders, wanting to preserve and strengthen the bastardized institution that often receives
criticism for being a unnecessary economic burden and a political tool for rewarding the political parties' grassroots activists seeking representational roles.

But we shouldn't undervalue local government's importance in the day to day running of a nation by
actively fulfilling the national policies of the central government in nooks and crannies, translating
registration into action that directly affect the people, providing the communication channel between
state and people and most importantly the nearest point of contact the people have to affect state
policy; these are just a few basic roles.

Local Participatory Process

In the memorandum of objects and reason the Minister Arscott states "a participatory process which
facilities the direct involvement of key local stakeholders."

And If local government is indeed crucial for 'affecting state policy'; then local authorities must not fail to give life to sections "21" "22" and "37" of the "Local Governance Act 2015" which gives them power to create committees that will help in governance of their perspective parishes.

Sector specific advisory committees or taskforce are constituted of civil society, experts, private sector and citizens that are impacted by the decisions or nondecisions of state and are better placed to
understand best ways to craft and implement policy. The likes of local civil groups and advocates are
often overshadowed by the more influential national groups but this bypass is detrimental to local
governance.

Although we have numerous public agencies involved in community agencies that function under the Local Government Ministry, they too often operate as independent cells and The Parish Development Committee is private sector driven.

Few Councils have already implemented taskforce, but the government must see the need to make
mandatory at least four committees or taskforce: Youth. Women, Environment and Health. These
committees are usually voluntary or stipend hence no additional cost and the outcome outweighs the
cost.

However, leaving the local governance as a political tool would create more waste, more corruption and less governance.

Constitutional Reform: A Must Before 2030

Truth: The failure of our political leaders to notice the decay of our democracy was no mere oversight; rather it was an omission of a selfish nature that comes with the territory of the Jamaican political leadership that puts self before constituents and nation. 

The idea that the system is for the powerful few and not the majority has sent the constitutional reform discussion into the void of ‘soft issues’ or ‘that cyaa eat’ grey area of the Jamaican consciousness.

The Internal power struggles of the past couple of weeks in the two major political parties cannot and should not be passed along as simple politicking, especially after an unfortunate fiery climax in MP.Raymond Pryce’s North-East St Elizabeth constituency.

Peoples National Party

Another unpleasant example included Dr Bloomfield losing his candidate selection race then being reinstated after a strong showing on an internal poll, the Peoples National Party’s General Secretary tried to explain that party delegates did understand the party constitution and its regulations – that the candidate selection was an “indicative” ballot due the constituency being “provisional”. The action of the party would have offended any laypersons grasp of democracy.

It must be seen for what it is; a complete disregard for democratic principles, corrupt processes and glaring mistrust in our political system and institutions.

Renewed Effort

With the shady inner workings of the political parties on full display and in the light, there must be tripled effort to improve our governance structure through constitutional reform.

The recent calls by private sector has only reinforced the need for the parliament of Jamaica both the governing administration and the opposition to embrace and concentrate on constitutional reform.  The modernization of Jamaica’s democratic principles and processes has not kept abreast with the rest of the developing world or those nations we aspire to be by 2030.

As the Partnership for Jamaica Agreement states that signed parties must “reaffirm and recommit to the principles of social dialogue and partnership, specifically to further the process of deepening democracy and participatory decision-making.”

As citizens, private sector, civil society, church and other internal forces, must bring pressure on all individual candidates for elected office and their affiliated political organization to commit to the execution of constitutional reform before 2030. 

It is ultimately the hands of parliament that must be moved to set controls upon themselves and repower the majority.

Dead Democracy: From The Ballot to The Streets

"A stable democracy" is often how those in leadership positions describe the current health of our politics and democracy, with no major shock waves in our system of governance over the last 3 decades since the ideological rift that formed during the years of Micheal Manley's lean towards democratic socialism clashing with Seaga's capitalist sentiments that received further push from outside forces. After this period, the word ideology became invalid and political activist reduced to squabble between grassroots supporters defending their respective parties, as the economy sank - the tight fiscal space narrowed our vision with only the  IMF and other global creditors in our sight.

As a millennial belonging to the 90's and having experience the birth and and super expansion of the Information age, there has been no substantial period for Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as to compare governance records against the People's National Party's tenure. Hence the search for comparisons in this modern age would lead us youth, regionally and internationally to get an understanding of the level of governance that we should be expecting and encouraging through our public participation.

With the current situation in mind, I would like to suggest to will thinking Jamaicans that as for our democracy our vitals are flat lining  and for all intensive purposes we are a dead democracy.Lifeless from the ceremonial zombie-like walk to the ballots to fulfill our 'rights' to the bustling streets filled not with voices of protesters with a cause but with hustlers just trying to make a living without such concern for the process that controls how taxes are spent or the minimum your to be paid for a days work.

The Ballot 

We have been dead at the ballot boxes from the time our political parities decided to encourage 'area leader' mentality  that saw the creation of garrisons and safe seats that are manned by the die-hearts who swear upon their ancestors grave their bloods are either green or orange not red like our national heroes, 2 are accredited founder of these political parties. Even after the creation of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) and Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) to ensure free and fare elections in all constituencies, the sanctity of votes are still being corrupted with the buying and selling of votes.

For those not considered die-hearts of any kind, they often make voting into a symbolic gesture to our ancestors who fought for suffrage, with little thought given to issues, because elections in Jamaica are about party and personalities not issues. Plaster a face on a sign with a slogan and you have yourself a campaign, although you may speak on topics - who is really listening? Not the die-hearts they are only concerned about their party winning, half the independent voters are tuned out until election day and the other half is the minority who decided to vote on issues but their numbers wont affect the outcome much - then there are those who don't not to vote because of apathy.

I can only compare our 5 year general election cycle to life support and with sprinklings of local government elections in between as minor brain activity. In the 2007, we showed a miraculous  sign of recovery that had a generous turnout including the youth that drastically dwindled in 2009 when Holness in tried to tap into the youth-phoria after Golding's quick departure under circumstances that left a immeasurable trust deficit.

We have lost the essence of being a voting and being voters.

The Street

The current Simpson-Miller led administration has demonstrated that we have slipped into collective coma as we shun our civil duty to keep our government accountable and transparent. There has been no end to the controversies  and contradictions that only inspired limited outcry hence got limited results from the Azan affair, NHT saga, Riverton fire mess and the Ms Haughton's unpunished nepotism. But the administration biggest mockery of our Westminster system was allowing a Cabinet Minister to pursue business with entities that cabinet itself decided not to do business with.

Yet, we 'articulate minority' have not found these blunders, so offensive to our sense of judgement that we would alight the streets with our concerns, discontent and disapproval. Are the silent streets a picture of deeper fear? A fear of being relinquished to doldrums of social mobility, where those without the proper surname, professions and nod of approval are placed for speaking out of turn prevented from moving upward - the creation of a classicist society.

S.O.S

This perception also consumes our universities and especially civil society groupings, many see these groups as only caring for those who pay their dues or make considerable donations. This idea that civil society, is only for the sophisticated  upper echelons of Jamaican society who can speaking the queens english when making representation is troublesome in a context such as Jamaica - where those who are most oppress belong to a lower socio-economic standing with perfect patios and sub standard english and education.

These issues reinforce in the minds of poor Jamaicans  that the system is too complicated for them to speak beyond localized matters such as bad roads and lack of water, they dare not venture into governance and constitutional reform out of ignorance - this vacuum leaves them powerless thus they place their entire trust in the political leadership to govern themselves and set their own standards.

The masses are out their waiting to galvanize around a single source of either strength, sacrifice or shock whether they know it or not. Who will inject the well needed adrenaline to get our civil blood pumping again?

Our Time: Calling for a Referendum and the Jamaican Democracy

It was not long ago that the Scottish independence referendum  was in the spotlight earlier this year with the populace deciding to stay with the United Kingdom, and we as Jamaicans asked ourselves, 'why not us?'

we witnessed the Irish allowing same-sex marriage through a referendum that surprised many who were accustomed to the conservative nature of the predominately catholic nation, again Jamaicans found reason to call for a referendum on the buggery law as the issue took center stage. 

Then we recently observed the Greek people refusing austerity, in a momentous referendum that may have lasting repercussions for the world economy, specifically the European Union and Euro-zone economic bloc with many other euro-zone members nations contemplating their future in the union with Britain and Spain planning in the near future to bring the "yes or no" question to their respected electorate in referendums. 

There has been a increase in calls for a grand referendum that will bring questions to the people that the 63 in parliament do not dare decide for 2.8 million people; issues of concerning culture in the buggery law, concerning the economy in whether or not we bare the chain of austerity, even democracy in becoming a republic and many other issues.


But this Jamaican grand referendum has been denied by most of our elitist including politicians on a most disturbing basis beyond the tribal nature of our politics but rather they go farther to insult the intelligence of the populace; indicating that the people are not 'smart' enough to make such important decision independently and would just be a mere political exercise.  

There is no willingness to defend our 'ordinary Jamaicans' against this line of reasoning, nothing from civil society groups, hence our political leaders will never be committed to a referendum and general constitutional reform because they believe the Jamaican people are not smart enough to understand. 

Certainly the education of the electorate on critical matters cannot be left up to the whim of politicians, therefore we need coordinated effort in public/private spaces to elevate the standard of what it means to be a voter or potential voter, leading to better public participation and overall better governance. 

Two-Tier Local Governance for Jamaica

It was interesting to hear Opposition leader Andrew Holness ratify the position of his party local governance when he said to MP Warmington[opposition whip]: 

“Wehave to support the bill. We can't look like we not supporting localgovernment." Jamaica Gleaner 13/5/2015

It was almost amusing in that instance to see the opposition fumble and tumble in the House of Representatives during the vote on the amendment to theLocal Government Act{link to Bill} being proposed by the government, prior they stood united and defiant against the CCJ bills that had eventually passed with only government MPs support.

This Local Government constitutionamendment is to entrench and empower local government, and sees noextreme shift in policy that would support the eventual automation oflocal authorities, although the 3 accompanying bills that include the 

1. Local Governance Bill; 
2. Local Government (Unified Service and Employment) Bill; 
3. Local Government finance and(Financial Management) Bill {Link: SDC Policy Objectives}

are very minor steps.

Entrenchment is not enough

It must now become the priority of the government not settle with the entrenchment of the current system, that sees rampant nepotism, corruption, lack of trust, little participation of citizens and community groups, with the current system of local government in the past

Constitution of Jamaica 1962

being disbanded on the grounds of corruption and ineffectiveness, it is understandably that we should be hesitant of protecting a unsatisfactory institution.

The move towards reform are derived from reports recommendations on constitutional reform in 90's and over 20 years later have seen the best and worst of our style of Westminster politics hence any recommendations then must be viewed in the context of nation that has a trust deficit between citizen and government that only be described as unfavorable for development and growth.

County Councils and Parish Administrators

A county council is the elected administrative body governing for an county that often are responsible and are compliment by smaller public bodies including city, districts, parishes, etc. The political system we mirrored belonging to the United Kingdom had county councils from 1889, and reformed in 1974 to one-tier-unitary authorities in most areas of the UK, others nations with County councils include: Sweden, Taiwan, Norway and USA [10 states].

3 Counties/14 Parishes of Jamaica

With County Councils established in Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey [with exception of the Portmore Municipality] - as an elected assembly - the parish/district administrators would be either be elected or appointed on the advise of Justices of the Peace/Magistrates/Community workers.

Constitutionally, the county councils would exercise a degree of municipal self-government provided by the Constitution. 

Within the boundaries of the county the smaller Parish administration would exercise local self-government independent of the county councils. Each parish in the county could contribute a number of Council members dependent on size and population leading to lesser number of elected at the local levels.

  

Constitutional reform is matter of when, not if for a young democracy and it must be repeated that the constitution is not a stagnant document but a living scripture that changes constantly and must be continuously updated and reviewed.

Young democracies such as Jamaica have the advantage of learning from the mature democracies that have evolved through trials and errors.