Top 3 TECH things ALL Jamaican political candidates MUST have for 2012 General Election

As the politicking and strategising has already begun for the constitutionally due General Elections next year…( the year Jamaica celebrates 50years of independence and the year of London Olympics where Usain Bolt is expected to maintain his gold medals)…as a member of the electorate I demand the following of ALL candidates that are seeking election and re-election in 2012:

1. A website. For you as a candidate. It must have:
– a list of what you have achieved as a public servant in your constituency- jobs, roads, investments and education.

-Youtube videos of walk throughs of your constituency, showing before and after of things  that have been accomplished. Video interviews with constituents regardless of political affiliation and not just paid announcements by your loyalists- we want to hear from THEM what YOU really have been doing. If these Youtube videos are too praise and worship-like of you, others can arm unbiased members of your constituency with digital cameras so they can post honest videos everywhere and anywhere they please, we’ll be happy to provide them with a list.

-a list of other achievements based on whatever committees you are on, events you were involved in etc. yes I know all this emphasis on achievements must be scary to you, but so it go, you wanted a public now, you got it, so moving right alon.

-Facebook and twitter links ( explained in #3)

– Email address capture form because yes you need to be building a database of constituents who you can mobilise to do varying things. Most importantly however the email database must be sent  regular newsletter on the work you are supposed to be doing on tax payers time and money. Please no BS propaganda, save that for public party meetings.

– a donate button if you so bright and bumbshus and believe you are work backing financially.

2. A publicly known email address that your constituents and general public can contact you. Whether you want to have it managed by a gaggle of secretaries that’s your business. But remember who you work for, the people that put you there,  the same people who can vote you out.

3. A Facebook & Twitter account. Yes Both. Your Facebook Presence must be under the category of Public Figure. We don’t want to be your friend, you are a public servant, we pay you, so we don’t need to be friends. Professional distance  especially under political circumstances is recommended. And Yes a twitter account, consider it…daily  Q & A with your people and an opportunity to share what you are in fact doing with your time in office.

I know it’s a lot of work, but if you political ladies and gentlemen want to keep those great travel benefits, salary +, housing, concessioned SUVs etc etc etc…you gotta work for it. A new generation is rising and they are digital… some may not be on the voter’s list like some of their dead relatives that voted in the last election, but they are sure as hell online, they got friends and family in the Diaspora and around the world and they can keep ever single one of you honest online and using their cell phones. So this general election WILL be interesting, mark my words.

Additionally, since this Mannatt/Dudus Commission Enquiry has made the words – transparency and accountability super sexy again, why the hell not take them a step further and use technology to make it all irrefutably possible.

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