JAMAICA | PNP writes Police Commissioner Urging Police Impartiality in Election Operations

KINGSTON, Jamaica, February 24, 2024 - In the countdown to Jamaica's highly anticipated Local Government Elections, set for February 26, tensions escalate as the opposition People's National Party (PNP) levels accusations of unfair practices against the security forces. 

The PNP's General Secretary, Dr. Dayton Campbell, has formally petitioned Police Commissioner Major General Anthony Anderson, urging a stance of neutrality from the police, particularly in their treatment of citizens engaging in lawful campaign activities. 

“This plea comes in light of Party President Mark Golding's recent tour of the Rae Town community alongside Councillor Candidate Shawn McGregor on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Immediately following the tour, a unit of the Specialized Operations Division detained several young men, none of whom were ultimately charged,” the General Secretary said in his letter to the police Commissioner. 

 The PNP  has interpreted this move by the Specialized Operations Division as an attempt to suppress its voter base. 

Amidst this charged atmosphere, the integrity of Jamaica's democratic process hangs in balance, underscoring the critical need for balance and fairness in the application of law enforcement powers.

The PNP letter to the Police Commissioner  said “We have also received similar reports of the Specialized Operations Team’s recent operations in Westmoreland, St. Catherine and the Corporate Area that are being interpreted as an attempt to intimidate and suppress voting in PNP areas.”

“While recognizing the importance of law enforcement's duties, we emphasize the need for prudence, particularly during this political season. It's crucial to remind the constabulary force that arbitrary detentions can be perceived as intimidation tactics aimed at suppressing votes.

“Therefore, we advocate for a balanced approach that upholds the law while respecting citizens' rights and democratic processes,” the PNP letter said.

As Jamaica stands on the brink of these pivotal elections, the call for a balanced enforcement of the law that respects the democratic process and citizens' rights has never been more critical​​.

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