CAFFE Blasts Prime Ministerial ‘Abuse of Power’ in Selecting ‘Arbitrary’ Election Dates

Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections, CAFFE, has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the practice of prime ministers to set arbitrary dates for by-elections.

In a statement on Monday, CAFFE criticised the practice as an abuse of power.

The criticism follows the recent announcement by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, of a by-election in the constituency of North East St. Ann, just days after Marsha Smith vacated the seat.

The announcement raised questions about other vacancies, including that in South Trelawny, where constituents have been wothout an MP for one year along with the vacancy in the Morant Bay Division of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation.

CAFFE says the immediate response to the St. Ann vacancy starkly contrasts with the needs in other places.

The timing, it argues, appears calculated to benefit the governing party rather than to uphold democratic values.

CAFFE says the right to representation is a cornerstone of democracy and should be free from manipulation for political gain.

The entity argues there is no constitutional justification for allowing the Prime Minister unchecked discretion in delaying by-elections.

It calls the practice a blatant manipulation of the electoral system and is seeking a constitutional amendment to establish strict timeframes for by-elections.