By Jascinth Aarons
In September 1961, the Jamaican electorate participated in a referendum to determine the continued membership of Jamaica in the Federation of the West Indies. The direct question to which the voters were to give a response was, “Should Jamaica remain in the Federation of the West Indies?” The result was 54.1% voting “no”, resulting in the country leaving the Federation and its dissolution in 1962. Voter turnout was 61.5%.
WHAT IS A REFERENDUM?
The Cambridge Dictionary (online) defines a referendum as, “A vote in which all the [eligible] people in a country or an area are asked to give their opinion about or decide an important political or social question.” This system of voting will leave the decision on certain matters of national/regional importance to the people of the country or region, rather than placing them solely in the hands of the elected officials.
Several concerns have been brought to public notice recently in Jamaica – a national identification system, digital money, Jamaica becoming a republic, replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, legalizing abortion, buggery, obeah, and the most vexed issue of amending our Constitution.
A new Constitution must be approved by the people, and it is anticipated that a referendum will be used to accept or reject these changes.
One of the important factors in having a referendum is ensuring that the electorate is fully aware of the pros and cons of taking a particular path or not. There is much emphasis on sensitizing the people through advertisements and town hall meetings, etcetera. It is critical that you utilize these different modalities so you know what you are voting for.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
But what is the determining factor in who can vote in a referendum in Jamaica? The short answer is, “YOU,” but YOU have to be registered to vote.
Requirements for voter registration:
- Persons who are eighteen (18) years and over and who are not subject to any legal incapacity are able to get registered.
2. Persons not eligible to be registered are convicted persons detained in pursuance of their sentences, persons on suspended sentences, persons certified as insane and lunatics, as well as persons detained as criminal lunatics.
CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION
The Electoral Commission of Jamaica welcomes continuous registration by having the respective constituency offices opened from Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 4:30pm & Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm.
Take the following with you:
1. Proof of Age2. Proof of Residence
Shortly after you apply for your voter identification card, you will be visited at your home for residence verification.
Continuous registration also removes persons from the voter’s list, that is, those who are deceased. Bear in mind as well that a new voter’s list is produced and published every six months, May 31 and November 30, with the necessary additions and deletions. There is a cutoff date for registration which is two months before the publication of the new list. The second one for this year is September 30.
Blessings.
Contact: [email protected]
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