The selection of candidates to contest an election is the raison d'etre or main purpose of political activity.

Indeed, the organisation and renewal of political parties is an initial phase of this activity - last year's presidential campaign of the People's National Party being such an exercise, to install new leadership with the departure of P.J. Patterson from the helm.

The vigorous and intense campaigning which marked that exercise threw up the first female leader of both party and subsequently the nation.

Thus, Portia Simpson Miller was thrust into a role which requires strong leadership, both of the party she heads and the Government which runs the country.

With a general election looming, the selection of candidates on a wider scale becomes the prime function of the party machinery - both in Government and Opposition.

It is not surprising that there have been hiccups in both camps, for it is at this level that the people who make up the electorate become part of the political system.

In effect, the character, track record, and basic popularity of the selectees define their connection with the people they seek to represent in Parliament. It is the fundamental formulation of what constitutes the source of political power.

And the efficiency of the party machinery at this basic level is what should determine the outcome of campaigning.

This theoretical outline has been tossed aside by the PNP president in what appears to be a peremptory overriding of the party constituents in the selection of former beauty queen Lisa Hanna for the South East St. Ann seat.

On face of it, this may seem to be a 'strength of a woman' ploy related to intra-party manoeuvrings, except that the vocal protests from supporters in the constituency are negative signals the party can ill-afford in the context of what could be a close election.

The support of P.J. Patterson for Ms. Hanna's candidacy could ameliorate the negative reactions, but there is a residual feeling which raises questions about the timing and leadership of Mrs. Simpson Miller her choice of a youthful and attractive personality to the world of politics would have been more positive if done through the conventional channels.

Before this episode, there had been negative reaction to her platform attacks on the media, the impact of which, we hope, will discourage any repetition.

Indeed, we would expect that the Code of Political Conduct should embrace not only the relationship between political opponents but action on the hustings that can do collateral damage. The media are inevitably a vital part of election campaigns in any democracy and must do their jobprofessionally and impartially.

In this connection, a correspondent has suggested that a head-to-head debate between the party leaders to canvass the real issues facing the nation should be held as part of the run-up to the elections. We endorse the proposal.

The Jamaica Labour Party leader, Bruce Golding, has joined in perfunctory embrace with Mrs. Simpson Miller on a peace-pledging platform earlier in the campaign.

We anticipate that the gesture will generate what it was meant to do for the rest of the campaign.