“Knowledge” said Francis Bacon “is power”. And the more knowledgeable an electorate the more powerful a democracy is in terms of carrying out the true will of the people. With this goal of empowering the electorate through information in mind, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) intends to organize both national and constituency debates in the forthcoming general elections.

All stakeholders will be consulted with before the details of the national debates are finalized. The preliminary plan is to first have the party leaders debate broad national matters, and on following days have the appropriate ministers and shadow ministers debate the major issues of Crime and Security, Finance, Health, and Education.

The JCC also hopes to hold debates between all participating candidates in every constituency. And it intends to work with the Jamaica Association of Community Cable Operators (JACCO) and have these debates broadcast on local cable channels. Such broadcasting would expand the audiences for these debates from a few hundred to tens of thousands. It might even be possible in some areas to organize interactive studio debates where voters can actually phone in questions.

National television and radio focus on island wide concerns, so locally televised constituency debates would provide a new forum where important community issues can be thoroughly discussed. Furthermore very few voters have actually heard their constituency candidates speak on any concrete issue. After all campaign meetings are usually mindless exercises in flag waving, slogan chanting propaganda. Even then most Jamaicans have probably never attended one, thanks largely to the hostile intimidation that has unfortunately become an ingrained part of our politics.

Allowing citizens to stay at home and hear their candidates discuss relevant community matters is one obvious way to reduce the physical fear factor in Jamaican politics. The goal really is to educate voters by bringing the democratic process into their living rooms and so replace the volatile “motorcade” mentality with one of reasoned debate.

The JCC and JACCO also hope to take the process even further and have local cable operators show footage of selected polling booths on election day and broadcast the actual ballot counting. People whose actions are being recorded are much less likely to transgress, and CAFFE should really try to get a protected and accredited video camera man into as many polling booths as possible. Even if 100% coverage is not possible, this would surely increase transparency and reduce fraud.

The JCC plans to set up Debating Committees in every parish. These will in turn set up debating committees in all their respective constituencies and work with local cable operators to broadcast the debates. Only well-respected, non-partisan persons will be allowed to head Parish and Constituency Debate Committees. It is hoped that parish Chambers of Commerce, active civic groups, citizens associations, and service clubs will be part of this process.

This should not be a very costly venture, for it merely seeks to co-ordinate structures and systems which already exist. All that is needed is a bit of co-operation and effort from responsible civic minded citizens. And such a worthwhile democracy strengthening effort should not lack for national and local sponsors.

The JCC hopes to minimize controversy and make the organizational process more orderly and less difficult by formulating specific recommended guidelines. It is easier to duplicate a well thought out national template in every constituency than to re-invent the wheel 60 times.

Here are the general guiding principles :

A. All debates should be managed in accordance with strict guidelines laid

down by the JCC National Debates Committee. Strict political neutrality must be observed at all times by everyone involved.

B. The debates should be held at a neutral public venue (such as a school auditorium, church hall, or town hall) in each constituency to ensure that the focus stays on local issues.

C. The debates should be held between all recognized constituency candidates to ensure that all views contend.

D. The guidelines, structure, venue, timing, and moderator must be agreed to by all sides.

The preliminary debate format is as follows :

1) Only the moderator and the candidates are allowed to speak.

2) Moderator introduces himself and candidates.

3) Five minute opening statements from candidates.

4) Moderator asks candidates questions in alternating order.

5) Three minutes allowed for each reply.

6) After all questions are asked, candidates are allowed five minute closing statements.

All Candidates will be asked to outline their plans for the constituency including critical elements of implementation such as cost, timeframe, and sources of funding. Forms will be sent out to all active civic organizations in the constituency asking for suggested questions, and written public submissions will also be included. The Constituency Debating Committee will collate these and accord the more frequent suggestions more weight. These questions will be asked in order of descending importance.

The goal is to minimize partisanship in the audience while maintaining an open and vibrant atmosphere. To this end the front half of the venue will be reserved for guests of civic organizations, churches, and schools, with invitations being limited according to space considerations. The back half will be open to the public.

To protect these debates from political hijacking there will be a strict ban on party flags and other paraphernalia. The candidates themselves will be charged with ensuring that none of their supporters engage in any unseemly outbursts or disturbances. Any untoward displays of partisanship that take place will thus be seen as a reflection of a candidate’s inability to control his supporters.

In order to get the process underway and to identify any unforeseen problems pilot televised debates will be held in Manchester Central and St. James North West. The candidates in these constituencies have agreed to debate if possible before the end of March and logistical plans are now being finalized. The aim is to have a final template in place before an official election date is announced and make televised constituency debates a part of every candidate’s planned campaign agenda.

Surely everyone with Jamaica’s interests at heart will support the idea of a televised candidates debate in every constituency. As Napoleon said, only those who want to deceive the masses and govern for their own benefit could wish to maintain them in their ignorance. changkob@hotmail.com