Nominations are done and dusted, three debates completed and manifestos unveiled (Links for Manifestos Below). The election machines are now rolling towards poll day on December 29th and the campaigns are charged for a "SEVEN DAY WONDER". Meanwhile, the polls are opened today for the police, military and election day workers.
Amidst all the hype and excitement many often forget about this part of the elections. This is provided for through the representation of the peoples act, which we referenced in an earlier story (What we didn't know about the Jamaica Election Date). Under the act, provision is made for military and police personnel, as well as
election-day workers, to vote three clear days (excluding Sundays and
public holidays) before civilians to ensure that they are available for
duty on election day.
Discovery Panel mobile site was launched today and we are happy to bring the fun to you while you are on the go. All you have to do is visit our site on your mobile device and you will go straight to our mobile site.
The mobile site offers seamless integration with your mobile device but still offers the option to switch to the full site. So if your device has a strong internet connection and high resolutions and speed you can browse the Full site.
The mobile site is optimized for fast navigation and viewing of the most important pages, helping you to discover more in less time.
On the back of the recent announcement of the election date by the Prime Minister Andrew Holness the campaigns of the two main political parties are motoring into high gear. With the elections a little over two weeks away we are however beginning to see signs of the undesirable behaviors that are common on the Jamaican political platform. Meanwhile, the public continue to look and listen as they shape their decisions.
In the thick of all this is the Jamaican mass media and many are beginning to question whether the media is a victim or a perpetrator of their own propaganda exploits. As we seek to balance the arguments in this important issue we ask the pertinent question: Is the media really independent as they say?
I have been covering the English Premier League (EPL) for some time now with an apparent bias towards the Spanish equivalent "La Liga". There comes a point however where we have to leave everything we are doing, scrap all plans and tune in to our "televisión Española", or find a LIVE STREAM to watch La Liga. All eyes are on Spain today and its Real Madrid FC versus FC Barcelona.
This is a match between the two richest and most successful clubs in world football, representing Spain's two largest cities, Madrid and Barcelona. Real Madrid this time will play host to FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Spanish Capital. There is of course a political history which we will not get into here, save for the arguments that Barcelona is thought to be associated with Catalan Nationalism whereas Real Madrid is linked to Spanish Nationalism. This explains why FC Barcelona is often referred to as the Catalans. Catalonia is an autonomous community in the northeast of Spain bordering France and the Mediterranean sea. For a complete reading on Spain and its autonomous communities visit Española
In La Liga this meeting happens twice per year/season and from my recolection it has never disappointed. In Spain they call it "El Clasisco" and believe it or not it is called "El Clasico in any other country, region or language. It is a household name that goes back to over a century ago when they first met on 13 May 1902. Since then they have met in the league 162 times with the following statistics:
With the huge question of why the Debates will cost just under $20 million to run, many Jamaicans are occupying their minds with even bigger questions. One such question is when will the debates happen and how will it impact the two parties going into the General Elections on December 29th.
How many debates? when does it start? Who will face off? What is the format?
Well, we have the answers to most if not all those questions and barring any last minute changes we should have a very exciting showdown in a matter of days.
So Prime Minister Andrew Holness last night rang the bell which revealed the date of the Jamaica General Elections. As we now know the date of the polls is Thursday December 29th preceded by nomination day on Monday the 12th.
What we didn't know however is the reason behind him delaying the announcement until last night. In his delivery at the mass meeting of the JLP in Mandeville he intimated that the addition and approval of the over 41,000 new names to the voters list was paramount to his decision. He wanted to give those voters an opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
In addition to that he considered the Christmas celebrations in his decision, pointing out that he wanted people to take a break for the holidays and then hit the road again around the 28th.
Meanwhile the speculations and predictions were not very far off and It can be said that not many were surprised by the announcement.
According to Section 21 of the Representation of the People's Act (ROPA), subsection 2:
"The day on which the poll for the taking of votes of the electors is to be held in case a poll is necessary, shall not be less than 16 days or more than 23 days after the day appointed as nomination day."
In addition to that,
"The day appointed as nomination day pursuant to Subsection One, (of the Act) shall be at least five clear days after announcement of an election."
Therefore election dayis hinged on the date of nomination and the nomination day is to be within a certain time frame of the announcement. Subsection 1 of Section 22 of ROPA recounts that:
"Nomination day shall be such day other than a public holiday as may be appointed by the minister by notice in the Gazette, not being more than seven days after publication of the notice."
So we see folks, the political pundits do have something to work with and even the uninitiated among us could sense that the date was within that window between Christmas and the middle of January. This will be Jamaica's 16th General Elections since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944.
The Leader of the PNP has asserted that her team is ready and so is the Electorial Office of Jamaica. This will make for an interesting battle as the charming and passionate Portia Simpson-Miller asserted that she is confident and prepared for any challenge.
The coming weeks of course will see the two sides debating the issues affecting the country and according to Mr. Holness the real campaign will be initiated soon. His rhetoric was strong on policy and the appeal was targeted to the uncommitted voters. It remains to be seen however how the manifestos will shape leading up to the December 29 polls.
I want to implore you again that we are all Jamaicans and irrespective of which party we support we are "ONE BLOOD", as my friend Junior Reid puts it. And I will leave you with another appeal to practice tolerance in the name of Jamaica: "Jamaica Land We Love".
When Jamaica suffer we all suffer, when Jamaica excel we all excel and we are all proud to be Jamaicans. Why can't we unite as we do when Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown take the track or when the Reggae Boyz unleash their swagger? Are we so illiterate and blind to see that there is nothing to gain from instability of our country?
While we mark the date of the General Elections in our calendar and the X in our minds (beside the Head or Bell) let us think on these things. Loyalty to Jamaica is first in our hearts.
We are now entering the "silly season" so called because of the associated senseless and careless behavior that is often associated with general Elections in Jamaica. Coupled with the fact that it coincide with the "festive season" is like a double whammy, as they would say in the USA. The Peoples National Party (PNP) challenge the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) for the right to lead the project to build Jamaica.
This is the perfect storm for the political pundits and the practitioners will hope to play on the excitement that is common at this time of year. Is it double trouble that elections are looming at Christmas time? will it put a damper on the lucrative Christmas buzz we have grown to know and love?
Frankly, I do not believe that the elections will be held before Christmas this year and the strongest indicator of that is in the apparent indecisiveness by the newly appointed prime minister, Andrew Holness. While not being the most exciting speaker, Mr. Holness has demonstrated a certain thoroughness and rationality in his approach to governance. He seems to bring a change to the whole idea of political appeasement which is common among politicians - known for their flattery and evasive strategies.
Our game of the week seeks to answer this intriguing question: "Can Chelsea cross it? ", can they stay above the waters of mediocrity? This is the most fitting challenge for Chelsea FC to give us an answer. They travel to the North East of England to face the formidable Newcastle United.
Few people would disagree that Newcastle United has been the darling of the premier league this season. And I don't mean that they are sexy or charming, but they are the best example of the beauty of the English Premier League (EPL) - the reason why we are so attached.
Today they face the Prima Donnas of the league and this meeting couln't come at a worse time for the "Blues". The fact that they have to leave the comfort of London to travel to Sports Direct Arena in Newcastle will not make it any less untimely.
Chelsea is coming off poor performances in the Champions League and the English League Cup and has only managed to win twice in the last five premier league games. This poor run of form included 5-3 loss to Arsenal and 2-1 loss to Liverpool, who incidentally undone them 2-0 in the league cup quarterfinals this week.
Manager Andre Villas Boas is increasingly under pressure to put together some good results. This may be his ultimate test as his job has come under public scrutiny. Villas Bollas, the Portuguese international was the youngest premier league manager when he joined Chelsea at age 33.
Today's game of the week is expected to be a tight affair with both teams being cautious. The weather conditions (6 degrees Celsius, partly cloudy) look good by English standards and the anticipation has reached fever pitch. Didier Drogba should get the start over Fernando Torres after his failure to launch in midweek.
Our prediction for today's game of the week is a draw (1-1).
Other games on today are (All times GMT):
For most people in the Caribbean Christmas has always been synonymous with festivities. Much the same for many other parts of the world including the Americas, Europe, Africa and some parts of Asia. Christmas of course is symbolic to the christian religion from which it derives its name and of such it is a time for Christians to celebrate the birth of Christ. Without going into the history and philosophy of the concept we can safely say it is one of the most active seasons of the year globally. International trade, travel and exchange peak around Christmas time. So much so that in many regions it is commonly called the holiday season or the festive season.
The strategic placement near the end of the year might have had a great deal to do with this as the New Year celebrations tie right into the mix. Therefore it is a cascading experience which begins towards the end of November maybe around the time that Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States.
For most Americans it is a great time to shop, enjoy good food and socialize with family. Of course it encompass the winter months which makes the whole experience characterized by a cold weather on the outside which require inside heating by the fireplace or electrical for most modern homes. This is exactly the case in Canada and most Northern European Cities.
In the Caribbean where the sunshine and warm weather is in abundance it gets a fraction cooler but not to a significant level to call for house heating. Instead the vibes and warmth of the people and the buzz in the streets, shopping malls, markets are big indicators that something special is happening. Even in tough economic times we almost always recognize the rise in excitement and activities.
Christmas mean different things to different people but for me Christmas is a time to reflect on the year that is coming to an end. What have I done throughout the year to make a difference in the world around me and the lives of the people I encounter? Christmas for me is a time for giving and sharing with family, friends and loved ones. It is an opportunity to put a smile on the faces of disadvantaged people and to give some time to a worthwhile causes.
Many people are suffering from hopelessness and lack of opportunities. If you have the ability to help someone to find hope do not hesitate. Giving is not just about material things or money. Your time is the most valuable resource and if you don't have much to give you can give your time. Share your skills, share your story, bless the heart of a stranger with your wisdom. There is enough in the world for everyone to live in love and peace and if you can help one or two people to pick themselves up you will be very proud.
The reason why people are so mean and selfish today is that we do not know what we have, so we do not know what to give or how to give. Even the beggar in the streets have something to give. If you do not believe me try and do what he does for a day. The point is their is value in everything good and bad you just have to know how and where to find the value. If I begin to list what I can do I have over a hundred skills, and If I can teach my brother one new skill that could change his life forever that would be the best gift I could ever give, better than a new toy.
I am not an expert on religion but I have to conclude that the true meaning of Christmas is Christ. Christ is the best gift to us and Christmas is about the gift that keeps on giving. Irrespective of who you are or where you're from, love is unmistakable and therefore the extent of your celebration of Christmas should be focused around honoring the love. The love of Christ - love for each other. According to the great poet James Whitcomb Riley, "To attain the highest good of true man and womanhood, Simply do your honest best; God with joy will do the rest."
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Nominations are done and dusted, three debates completed and manifestos unveiled (Links for Manifestos Below). The election machines are now rolling towards poll day on December 29th and the campaigns are charged for a "SEVEN DAY WONDER". Meanwhile, the polls are opened today for the police, military and election day workers.
