People's National Party leader and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and candidate Colin Fagan distribute party souvenirs to supporters during a motorcade in Waterford, Portmore, St. Catherine, yesterday. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

Jamaica Labour Party General Secretary Karl Samuda is urging Jamaicans to forgive each other in the wake of escalating political violence in the country ahead of the August 27 polls.

He said that an election victory would be meaningless if the process was marred by violence.

"Victory is not just victory at any cost. Victory through violence will be an empty victory and will get this country nowhere, so we have to forgive those who do us wrong as we go about the business of trying to spread a positive message," he said in an interview with The Gleaner at a forgiveness church service at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Andrew yesterday.

Also in attendance was Julian Robinson, deputy general secretary of the PNP.

"I believe that if that is done effectively on both sides, then we'll have a peaceful election, allowing the people to vote accordingto their own desires, free from fear and that's the only way to really go," Samuda said.

Rev. Devon Dick, who delivered the sermon, noted that Jamaicans are very concerned about the increased political violence last week, pointing out that in the nation, we are currently experiencing some "dog-heart behaviour."