Danielle Archer | The message has been sent

In 2020, only 37.9 per cent of Jamaicans voted. That number wasn’t just low – it was a warning that the people were weary of broken promises, disillusioned by political theatre, and distrustful of a system that too often served itself. The message is being sent – not through silence, but through ballots, voices, and vigilance.

Across the island citizens are reclaiming their power. It is a moral declaration: we are watching, we are voting, and we are demanding better.

What is being demanded? Integrity. Transparency. Accountability. Not as slogans, but as standards. The people are no longer satisfied with ribbon-cuttings and rehearsed soundbites. They want institutions that work, laws that bite, and leaders who serve rather than rule.

The Integrity Commission must now rise to meet this moment. It must be strengthened — not just in name, but in function. Reports must be timely. Investigations must be fearless. Authority must be unshackled from political interference. The Commission must be more than a watchdog — it must be a guardian of public trust. And with civic momentum swelling, it must seize the opportunity to launch Jamaica’s long-awaited National Anti-Corruption Strategy. No more delays. No more drafts gathering dust. The strategy must be bold, binding, and built to outlast political cycles.

CRIMINALIsES CORRUPTION

We expect comprehensive anti-bribery legislation that closes loopholes and criminalizes corruption at all levels. The law must be clear, enforceable, and unapologetically firm. Jamaica cannot afford to treat corruption as a cultural inconvenience. It is a national emergency. Reform cannot exist in law alone; it must live in the people. That’s why constitutional education is essential. Too many Jamaicans know the anthem but not the constitution. We sing “Jamaica, land we love” without knowing the rights we hold. Civics education should be integrated into schools, broadcast on the radio, and discussed in town halls – people who understand their rights are more likely to defend them.

This election is not just about who won it’s about sending a message that governance must be transparent, that service must be ethical, and that power belongs to the people.

The people will not rest. They are awake, alert, and determined to make their voices heard. This is not a moment – it is a movement. The message has been sent, let it be received—not with applause, but with action.

The work does not end at the ballot box; in the aftermath of the election, citizens must remain engaged, informed, and unrelenting. Hold elected representatives accountable. Stay vigilant. Democracy demands action, even after the ballots are counted. This is not a time for retreat – it is a time for resolve. The mandate is not a blank cheque. It is a binding contract with the people. The people will not rest until transparency is lived, not just pledged.

Danielle S. Archer is an unapologetic Jamaican on a mission to make integrity the new normal in public life.