In a recent Don Anderson poll, the majority of Jamaicans have expressed their preference for fixed dates for local government and parliamentary general elections.
The survey, which took place between November 24 and December 7, sheds light on the nation’s views regarding the timing of elections and campaign finance transparency.
The call for fixed election dates
According to the survey, 73 per cent of respondents voiced their belief in the necessity of establishing fixed dates for elections.
Mixed opinions on the Prime Minister’s role
While a significant portion of the population favors fixed dates, 13 per cent of respondents argued that the Prime Minister should retain the authority to determine election dates.
Meanwhile, 14 per cent of those surveyed remained uncertain about their stance on this issue.
Demands for campaign finance transparency
Apart from concerns about election dates, Jamaicans are also calling for greater transparency in campaign financing.
When asked about their views on disclosing campaign donations, 44 per cent of the 1,015 respondents advocated for the disclosure of contributions exceeding $250,000.
They believe that such contributions should be made public and reported to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), ensuring accountability in the political process.
Varied perspectives on disclosure
The survey revealed varying opinions on the recipients of campaign finance disclosure.
While 15 per cent of respondents believed that disclosure should solely be made to the ECJ, 19 per cent held the view that it should remain confidential, neither disclosed to the ECJ nor the public.
Additionally, 21 per cent of respondents either expressed indifference or said they did not know to whom the disclosure should be made.
The poll was conducted during the period November 24 to December 7.
It has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent.
