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KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – In the run up to a general election that is constitutionally due next year, both political parties, the ruling People’s National party (PNP) and the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), have agreed to refrain from using political paraphernalia as they continue on the campaign trail.
The decision was made on Wednesday during a meeting with Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment-Brown.
The meeting , which involved the General Secretaries of both parties, followed concerns about the mounting of flags in breach of the Political Code of Conduct.
It was also prompted by a recent incident in which two persons were killed in the central parish of St. Catherine. The police believe that their deaths were politically motivated .
Parchment Brown says it was recommended that the parties will not mount flags during the political campaign period.
“I am also being told that while people may enthusiastically put up flags in advance of a meeting, generally to get them down, you have to pay people to take it down so I really want to recommend that the taking down be planned as part of the putting up process.”
She added that certain limits were agreed in the event flags are mounted without authorization.
“They would like a certain amount of time to have the flags taken down . If anybody without authority raises a flag in your colours, you should ensure that it is removed,” the Political Ombudsman said.
A general election is constitutionally due here by December 28, 2016.
Although it was widely speculated that a general election would have been held before year end, PNP President and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller recently told party supporters that she is waiting “for a touch from God” before announcing the date.
However, despite an indication that a general election will not be held this year, both major political parties continue to hold mass meetings.
In the last general election, the PNP won 42 of the 63 seats.
