JAMAICA-Political party urges Jamaicans to mark the ballots with the “0”

A Jamaican political party is urging citizens to mark their ballots with the “0” symbol as the country prepares for elections.

JFM, led by Reverend Al Miller, stated that the campaign is designed to combat voter apathy and empower Jamaicans to vote with a clear conscience.

“Your conscience is a gift from God, and it must be obeyed. But do not mistake a troubled conscience for permission to stay home. A troubled conscience is a command to act. If you cannot vote for any candidate in good faith, you must still go to the polls and record your dissatisfaction.

“On your ballot is a powerful option: mark ‘0’ beside ALL the names to declare your dissatisfaction. This signifies ‘none of the above’. This is not a wasted vote. It is a recorded statement, a data point of conviction that says, ‘I was present and engaged, but the options presented did not meet the minimum standard,” the JFM said.

The party said that such a vote would cement that voters are saying “I want Jamaica to win, not a party; I demand character and qualification in our leaders; I demand an agenda that protects the vulnerable and upholds human dignity; and I demand better. The current offering is not good enough.”

The campaign by the JFM follows its recent decision to separate from the Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP), which it stated was made to preserve its core mission of prioritizing the country over politics.

“JFM maintains its steadfast commitment to healing decades of national division by working to establish a government of national unity. This foundational vision for national unity was the principle that undergirded the alliance with the JPP, but a fundamental difference on this issue led to the dissolution of the partnership.”

Miller apologised for “raising the hopes of many who were looking for an option towards real change, and the inability to realise it through that political alliance”.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has announced that 189 candidates, including 53 women, have been nominated to contest the September 3 general election.

According to the EOJ, both the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) will contest all 63 seats at stake in the elections. The Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP) has entered candidates in 47 constituencies, while seven nominees will represent the United Independents’ Congress (UIC).

The EOJ stated that nine candidates will run as independents across constituencies in St. Thomas, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Catherine, and St. Andrew.

According to the EOJ, 2,077,799 people are eligible to vote in Wednesday’s general election, with political observers saying that 20 swing states could determine the election’s outcome.