KINGSTON, Jamaica – The countdown to the September 30 deadline to get on the next voters’ list continues. There are 10 days left.
Keep the comments on the OBSERVER ONLINE countdown questions coming. Your comment could be featured on our website.
Yesterday OBSERVER ONLINE asked: Will you vote for MP or party? Why?
Some respondents openly stated their intentions to vote for party while others said they will vote on policy and for the member of Parliament they believe will best represent their constituency.
Melonie Reid said on Facebook: “Me and my neighbours, voting for Labour!
While Shantelle S Moncrieffe commented: “The People’s National Party… PNP to me ting… A deh suh my vote deh again and again.
According to Isha Hylton, history has shown that the masses vote based on party affiliation.
“So all if di MP naah put een nuh work, most a dem naah switch a fi dem party dem a vote fah. So I wouldn’t be surprised if PNP pull off a srecond term,” Hylton said. “Well for me, mi a vote fi my MP. Because me see di work weh him a put in, there’s room for improvement but I think with another term he’ll finish what he started.”
And RJ Morris thinks it is very simple.
“Vote on the issues that are affecting our great country. Why? Because, it matters!”
K-British Paul said: “I’ll be voting for MP, it’s the responsibility of the MP to represent the people of the country! The people come first. Party comes after.
“Voting for or against the MP. ?Party can stay. As a collective body, it doesn’t benefit me. Having control of the one person who will speak for me means more,” Crucial said.
And Demusone also does not believe in voting for party as it continues to be the “downfall of this island”.
“Die-hearted party loyalist are just as guilty as the non-performing politicians they keep electing for the current conditions we face as a people,” Demusone. “If a politician has vision and implement policies to help us, the people, that individual would have my support regardless of party affiliation.”
Although Livingston Brown wished he could vote separately for MP and party, he says he will be voting for party.
“Reasons being, the concerns I have at this time, in regards to national level, outweigh my other grouses. ?I am deeply concerned about the economy and crime, and I’m of the view that channeling my purpose to party, would make it more practical in comforting these issues at the national level,” he said.
Neutral Justice spoke to the inconsistencies in selecting MPs.
“Jamaican politics does not carry consistency in the selection of an MP. You’re given an individual by choice of the NEC of the party. Then, for five years, you either suffer or avail yourself to the whims of handouts and political curry favours from that individual MP,” Neutral Justice shared. “Jamdown politics are strictly suited for the intellectually challenged and was designed to be tribal and exclusive by margins of colour green or orange.
“Just listen how they speak on the campaign, and judge how they address Parliament. Two-faced critters. There’s hardly a no-confidence vote against an MP, that’s why most youths felt disillusioned by the electoral system and stayed away as a silent protest. A so de ting set fi real.”
