Just when many are expecting Jamaica's rather overextended political season to come to an end, we hear news of the Electoral Office of Jamaica's plan to expand the number of constituencies.

While the rationale for expanding the constituency boundaries is not in question, a reasonable concern has to be raised about the urgency of such a decision among the many challenges being faced by the country at this time.

At a time when most Jamaicans are overwhelmed by the challenges of the global economic downturn, the last thing on our mind is to create another cause for political bickering. Naturally, the growth in our population size over time should be matched by increasing the number of constituencies to ensure better representation. However, this decision cannot be of top priority at this time.

Acrimonious level of relationship

With a number of elections in a short space of time since 2007, the leaders of the country have not settled down to address fully the challenging issues that confront us. We have seen the acrimonious level of relationship between the Government and Opposition that have even spilled over into the Upper House of Parliament. Even the most genuine national proposals of either party are not given the most credible assessment, because our politicians are in constant election mode

It is therefore my view, notwithstanding the current court cases over dual citizenship, that the continuous political campaigning will only further the cause of the political parties and the egos of our politicians. Having listened to the utterances coming from both sides, the voting constituents feel that we are mere pawns in a fierce chess game between the two political entities, competing for mere bragging rights.

What is sad is that after each election contest, whether at the local government or for members of parliament, the main focus for the post analysis is: what does this victory/defeat means for the party? Hardly any meaningful discussion is held about what the result means for the people of those particular communities. Are there any ongoing independent assessment of the performance of the service quality levels of our elected public servants?

Sadly, the public has bought into this nonsensical idea for too long, either by defending one party over another, or by our constant silence on these issues. In Jamaica, politics is no longer a means to an end, it has become both.

I am, etc.,

DEVON SPAULDING

devon4christ@yahoo.com

Spanish Town

St Catherine