Political Ombudsman Reminds Jamaicans of Conduct during Elections

Political Ombudsman, Hon. Donna Parchment Brown, is reminding Jamaicans that elections are occasions to be positive, with set principles that must be adhered to by the electorate.

Mrs. Parchment Brown said that to ensure that this is achieved, the two major political parties have signed an agreement and declaration on political conduct.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Trelawny Town Maroons Sovereign State of Accompong’s 278^th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty between the Maroons and the British Militia, on January 6, at the Maroon settlement in St. Elizabeth, the Ombudsman said the agreement binds the political parties, their leaders, members and supporters to some important promises and values, both in and out of an election period.

“The first agreement is: Non-violence and Non-intimidation…binding all persons to say no to all forms of violence, intimidation, weapons or ammunition.  People must be free to go about their lawful business without political labelling,” she added.

 Mrs. Parchment Brown noted that the second agreement addresses the issue of  confrontation. “Nothing should be done anywhere in Jamaica to provoke confrontation by any act, including the defacing of buildings, roadways, public or private property,” she said.

“The other agreement is based on ‘Utterances in Public’, which reminds all citizens that with technology today – everywhere is public. So, on political platforms and other places, there should be no incitement to violence, no  slander, no  malicious statements about candidates, their families or party officials,” Mrs. Parchment Brown emphasised.

She reminded the residents of Accompong that they would all be expected to vote for a Member of Parliament to represent that area of St. Elizabeth in Gordon House.