The Editor, Sir:

The prime Minister's decision to do something about the discombobulating system for elections is timely and necessary.

This matter of dual citizens in Parliament needs to be carefully examined and settled. Until then, the country will be divided by doubts and discord; and the price will be not only millions of dollars but also the unwelcome distractions from the urgent task of building for social and economic progress.

Supreme Court's decision

On the basis of the Supreme Court's decision in the Dabdoub vs Vaz case, as well as the relevant sections of the Constitution, Kenneth Rowe, who holds allegiance to both Jamaica and Canada, was not qualified to be registered as an elector for the West Portland constituency and is not a person qualified to sit in the House of Representatives; or for that matter, to be appointed a senator - a position that is largely ignored in the debate on dual citizenship.

The contest in West Portland by-election was regarded by some as a referendum on the Government's performance in office. Now that the result is in we must read the message from the challenge.

Most Jamaicans must be fed up with political campaigning, not to mention the cost involved, while the nation's business remains begging for attention. The country cannot afford the distraction occasioned by more challenges to the position of other members of parliament who may hold dual citizenship.

The people had made their choice of representatives at general elections a mere 18 months ago. The call for MPs and senators to declare the truth about their status should not be made without some provision for reconciliation. If the Government and the Opposition are sincere in their declared intention to seek power only by election, they should compromise by abandoning the remaining time-consuming and expen-sive exercise of court actions and by-elections.

The law and the Constitution must be obeyed for good reason, but where the outcome from any further challenge is not a foregone conclusion, good reason must perforce give place to better.

I am, etc.,

FRANK PHIPPS

phipps@infochan.com

Chairman

Farquharson Institute

of Public Affairs

Kingston