Once the People's National Party opted not to contest the by-election, it was almost foregone that Michael Stern of the Jamaica Labour Party would be re-elected MP for North West Clarendon. He was.

But in politics and in the exercise of the democratic will of the people, there are no certainties. In that regard, Mr Stern is to be congratulated on his victory.

But last Friday's vote, in which a mere 26.1 per cent of the registered electors participated, highlights two significant issues, one of which is already on the agenda - the ongoing dual-citizenship matter.

Unresolved cases

Michael Stern won the seat in the general election two years ago, but was subsequently ruled ineligible to be a legislator because of his dual-citizenship status. He has since renounced his American citizenship.

There are other cases, involving legislators from both parties, to be resolved.

It is shameful, we feel, that those MPs who know that they occupy seats in the legislature unconsti-tutionally, continue to do so. And it is particularly hypocritical and immoral of those on the Opposition benches who are of this status when it is their party that brought to public attention and led legal proceedings against ineligible opponents. It is important that Parliament be regularised and serious debate on the dual-citizenship matter ensue.

Dangerous arguments

The second issue is the suggestion that Eton Williams of the National Democratic Movement, who won 381 or six per cent of the votes in Friday's contest, should not have been nominated, allowing for Mr Stern's return by default. Or, at the extreme, the argument is that he should have faced a very high bar for nomination.

The argument is that it would have saved money. Such arguments are dangerous, suggesting as they do the need to filter democracy, possibly through the tiniest of sieves.

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