Should Jamaicans With Dual Citizenship Be Allowed to Run For a Parliament Seat?
Daryl Vaz cought between two countries (Daryl Vaz and wife shown above)
As many of you know by now, JLP MP for West Portland, Daryl Vaz, has been ousted from his seat by the ruling of Chief Justice Zalia McCalla because he held Dual Citizenship. Even though it is in the constitution that one cannot run for parliament while holding dual citizenship, the rule has never really been enforced until now. In the past, members from both parties have held parliamentary seats while holding Dual Citizenships. Norman Manley Bowen former PNP - MP, along with other PNP leaders have started what seems to be a campaign against MP members who hold dual citizenships.
The first question is - is it fair to bring these members to court when in the past members from both parties have ignored this rule and ran for and held office? Or, is this just PNP's latest ploy to express their disappointment and anger from their loss in the recent election? The second question is - should this rule be changed?
At first glance, one might agree that if a person is that passionate and driven to run for public office and is a citizen of Jamaica, he or she should be allowed to. Regardless of the fact that he is a citizen for another country the fact still remains he is a citizen of the country in which he wants to run for office. However, most of us are looking at this from a perspective of one being born in Jamaica, grew up in Jamaica, lived abroad for some time and then returned home and then ran for office.
But what about these scenarios? A person who was born in the US (for instance), lived in Jamaica for a while and attained citizenship. Or, someone who was born in Jamaica, left at a very early age - say one or two years old, lived abroad and then returned home at age 30 or 40 and decides to run for office. With these scenarios one might say the patriotism and allegiance might not be as strong as the person who was born in and grew up in Jamaica. Should they be required to denounce their citizenship of the other country to ensure their allegiance to Jamaica? If the answer is yes, Logic follows that if in this case they have to denounce then everyone running for political office will have to denounce. If the country is ok with the last two scenarios not having to denounce, then maybe the law should be removed from the books.
What do you think about the law on the books. Should it be removed or enforced?
I like your blog. I think this rule should be removed from the books. If someone is a Jamaican Citizen, they should be able to put in their bid for political office. Maybe the Dual Citizen privilage should be removed, once they become citizen in another country; Since this seems to be the area of concern.
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The law is on the books and it should be upheld. We respect the laws of other countries. We need to respect the law of our own country so others can respect it too.
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Very nice blog. I believe the PNP members are acting out of frustration, and are doing what they can to lessen the number of JLP MP's. Both sides need to come together and work in a positive way to uplift the country.
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I agree with Audley. The PNPs are acting out of frustration. Even though they have every right to take these cases to court, they would not if they had won the elections.
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This policy seems to be raising all kinds of Political Havoc with so many other Ministers in this situation, holding Dual Citizenship. It seems that the constitution has to be looked at again and amended.
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Hi, nice blog. I think the constitution should be changed. It is high time for an amendment.
Keep up the good work.
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