THE PSOJ Council of Presidents has asked the Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, to call an urgent meeting today with the political leaders of all the parties contesting the October 16 General Election to create a plan to avoid further violence and death between now and the poll date.

The Council noted that at least 43 persons have been killed in the last 13 days.

"The political leaders and their candidates need to understand that winning a constituency poll is not a prize that should be won at the cost of even one life," they said.

According to the PSOJ's Presidents Council, Jamaica needed politicians who not only stated they were opposed to violence but who were also capable of controlling their followers to ensure a peaceful election. They said a political leader who showed an inability to control party hooligans was not someone who should aspire to national leadership.

"The PSOJ has been committed to making this election the most peaceful election in the history of the country. We are appalled at the sudden outburst of violence during the last few days. Our political leaders need to stop their election activities and work out how to stop Jamaicans being killed at the altar of political opportunism," said Oliver F. Clarke, PSOJ President.