Ashley knocks dual allegiance

Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer

POLITICAL ANALYST Dr Paul Ashley yesterday called for the media to use its position as society's watchdog to help change the electoral nomination process.

Ashley, a criminal lawyer with a passion for politics and transparency, is adamant that anyone who represents the country in a political office must be Jamaican without dual allegiance, such as representing a government abroad, or holding certain positions in another country's army.

He suggested that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) outline all the requirements and disqualifications so that prospective candidates would sign in agreement, showing their understanding of nomination parameters.

Any breach, he insisted, should be punishable by the Supreme Court as an electoral offence.

"A by-election costs anywhere between $15 million to $25 million depending on the topography and other facts relating to settlements," he said. "The country has undergone such by-elections at significant cost given the tight fiscal situation."

The Gleaner Company awarded Ashley the Silver Pen in recognition of his letter to the editor titled 'Fix nomination loopholes', which he penned in September last year.

"The public is not aware of any measures put in place by the ECJ to deal with these nomination loopholes. It could be a situation for the next election that all candidates could be proved to be dual citizens.

"Then what would happen?" he asked.

In his letter, the political analyst noted, "The Electoral Office is not required even to enquire into the citizenship status of those being nominated."

He also wrote that nominees are also not required to declare their citizenship status.

"I don't care where you come from, but to take these positions, you must be 100 per cent Jamaican," he declared.