It is very clear that we have had enough. I am not surprised that the country is in no mood for a general election. We need to rebuild our country now and anything that would speak to uncertainty, as a general election would do, is not good for the country.
- Len Anglin, executive chairman of the Church of God in Jamaica.
'Gov't needs time'
There are more pressing issues facing the country at this time. We have a serious crime problem that both parties need to sit together and find solutions to.
I think, also, that there is a general feeling that the ruling party needs time to do the job it has been elected to do, and the opposition needs time to regroup after 18 years in government.
- Roger Bent, president of the Guild of Students, University of the West Indies, Mona
'People are election-weary'
I don't think people not wanting an election has to do with the performance of the present government. It has more to do with the fact that people are election-weary. They believe that campaigning brings with it the possibility of violence. If there are to be elections people would rather the by-elections than a general election, as it is seen as the lesser of the evils.
- Wayne Jones, acting president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions
'Could intensify political tensions'
The country is already doing a delicate balancing act to deal with the harsh external and internal shocks and keep above water. A general election could dump unwanted water into the boat and, regardless of the outcome, it would spell catastrophe. A by-election would prove to be of a lesser ordeal, given the scale of the activity.
- Charlene Sharpe-Pryce, political analyst/ lecturer at the Northern Caribbean University
why they always do this, interview a few people then claim that "jamaica" dont want an election. them need to sort out them thing. I think that an election would be good now. Cause most people are still living in doubt and that there is hope for portia etc and i think it is contributing to the killings. Yes, people i see cases where portia is pushing the poor people them to start the crime. lol, ok maybe not that drastic, but her constant bickering is aiding in the violence (i believe). The election was very very close as all could see, and most PNP people are left with this urge to be satisfied. Let them call another election and put it to rest, thats the only way i believe jamaica can move forward