Montel Gordon | Why does voter apathy persist in Jamaica’s elections?

The latest general election witnessed a historic third term for Andrew Holiness and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), overcoming Mark Golding and the People’s National Party (PNP) – the points of contestation surrounding the proliferating living costs, crime reduction, education, and healthcare and gaining 50.47 per cent of the popular vote in contrast to the PNP’s 49.21 per cent.

A concern for both parties was the voter turnout among Jamaica’s two million eligible voters, with only 38 per cent of the 2.8 million population participating. To put this into perspective, the UK general election in 2024 had a turnout of 59.7 per cent (a 7.6 per cent decrease from the 2019 general election and the lowest turnout since 2001) and 64.1 per cent for the US presidential election in 2024.

Therefore, it raises the question: why does voter apathy persist in Jamaican elections? This ongoing trend of low voter turnout, especially among younger demographics, raises important questions about the long-term stability and representativeness of the political system – issues that may mirror those seen in other developing nations where electoral engagement has declined due to perceived governmental inefficiencies or systemic disenfranchisement.

This leads us to the main focus of this article: does the political system alienate Jamaicans from engaging with change and inequality, or has the political process itself become a performative exercise detached from genuine societal transformation?

CYNICAL PERSPECTIVE

When we use the term ‘politricks’, it refers to the tricks of the political system, in layman’s terms. More formally, ‘politricks’ encapsulates a cynical perspective whereby political activities are seen as manipulative or deceitful, prioritising self-interest or partisan gain over genuine public service and the fair distribution of resources.

This perception often arises from historical disappointments with governance, ongoing socio-economic disparities, and a lack of tangible progress on vital national issues such as poverty reduction, crime, and public service delivery, thereby eroding public trust in democratic institutions. And, Jamaicans have every right to feel this way.

Jamaica has experienced the historical and contemporary phenomena of the ‘brain drain’, with its brightest leaving to pursue better opportunities abroad, further worsening the challenges of national development and capacity building. Since the late 1970s, from the Manley administration, Jamaica has faced the continuous emigration of its skilled workforce, including healthcare, education, and technology professionals, who seek more promising economic prospects and stable socio-political environments.

The ongoing exodus continues today, with Jamaica still losing its best to the UK, USA and Canada, particularly its educators, with the UK being the primary destination. This phenomenon not only depletes the nation’s human capital but also perpetuates a cycle of underdevelopment by diminishing the pool of individuals capable of driving innovation and progress within Jamaica itself.

SHARED VISION

Crime was another central topic in the election. The JLP has succeeded in its efforts to reduce crime, with killings decreasing by 43 per cent this year – the largest drop the country has seen in decades. The impacts of punitive measures are evident in the states, where incarceration is used as a solution to societal issues. Consequently, this has created a prison caste of second-class citizens, where those incarcerated are viewed as human capital, often exploited for cheap labour or used to sustain private correctional industries, further deepening socio-economic inequalities and undermining rehabilitation efforts.

Tackling these phenomena at their root causes (social harms, lack of opportunities for young people) with employment creation, improved educational opportunities and community development programs has been a stated objective. This has also included community policing initiatives. However, the efficacy of these measures in sustainably curbing violence remains a subject of debate. These early intervention strategies have resulted in a reduction of certain types of offences, yet the underlying socio-economic disparities and systemic issues contributing to criminal activity persist.

Despite Mark Golding conceding defeat and the constant back-and-forth between both political leaders and their parties during the campaign, what unites them is their shared vision for Jamaica: a country to be self-sufficient, prosperous, and a hub of economic and social mobility. To be a country of brain gain, not brain drain, and a country that continues to share its rich, diverse cultural history with the world.

However, they need to start by addressing the distrust in the political system and promoting greater civic participation. With JLP’s third historic term, the questions mount on how they will build upon the initiatives to improve education, healthcare, crime reduction and economic stability. How will Jamaica fare in the next five years? Only time will tell.

Montel Gordon is a James McCune Smith PhD scholar at the University of Glasgow researching race and education. He is also a freelance journalist.