Election preparations going to plan

Supervisor of Elections
Kearney Gomez

Wednesday,  February 9, 2005

Supervisor of Elections Kearney Gomez said preparations are proceeding on schedule for the General Election 2005, scheduled for 11 May. The writs of election have now been prepared and the Governor will be issuing them to the returning officers on 18 February. Nomination day will be held in the six electoral districts on Wednesday 16 March. 

Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan a number of civic centres cannot be used, as a result the following places have been appointed: West Bay-Courtyard Marriott conference room; George Town- Conference room of the Cayman Islands Investment Bureau; Bodden Town- Chapel of the Church of God; North Side- North Side United Church Hall; East End- East End Civic Centre and the Sister Isles- the conference room of the District Administration Building.

“Arrangements for the printing of the ballot paper are already made and other materials are being bought, including additional equipment,” said Mr Gomez. “A special team is being assigned to equip the polling and counting stations.”

He added that the method of counting will be done differently this election when compared to previous years.

“There will be counting in multiple locations within the electoral districts, the count in George Town for example, will be going on without having to transport all the ballots to one central point and consequently the results should be in before midnight of the same day.” 

For the first time there will be the formal setting up of information booths in all polling division to assist the electorate in finding out whether their names are on the list or any other questions.

There will be no elector’s registration card for the upcoming General Election 2005, due to flooding of the elections office, as a result of Hurricane Ivan, severe losses were suffered. “It will not be possible to issue the almost 13,000 elector’s registration cards prior to the 2005 election,” added Mr Gomez.

“It should also be noted that these cards are not mandatory at the polls however, the program of issuing cards will commence immediately after the elections. 

Postal ballot application forms will be available from 18 February. Residents from Little Cayman can either vote in Cayman Brac West or through postal ballots. The postal ballots application form will be made available at post offices, elections offices, as well as police stations.

“We will be ensuring that people who apply for postal ballots will be the ones using them,’ said Mr Gomez. “We will also monitor to ensure the non-interference by candidates and agents in the voting process.” 

There will be a total of 17 polling divisions in the six electoral districts with a total of 35 polling stations but according to election officials, location of polling stations will be announced at a later date.

During the campaign Political parties and their supporters are expected to contribute positively to the goal of a peaceful election, in every way and especially with respect to: urging supporters to show restraint against excessive exuberance in language and behaviour which could be provocative; and ensuring that every effort is made to avoid any threats, harassment, violence that might cause disruption whether at political rallies or elsewhere, or any other form of intimidating behaviour towards political opponents.

The Supervisor of Election is urging political parties and supporters show respect for polling materials and polling stations and not remove or damage any materials or cause damage in any way to any polling premises. 

He added it was important to refrain from interfering in any way with the polling and counting proceedings and from attempts to spread rumours about the election activities. 

Mr Gomez believes that the proper implementation of the code of conduct by all political parties will significantly enhance the prospects of free and fair elections. 

Receipt of Electoral Claims February 14

Every person whose name appears on the current register or who within the specified time submitted a signed and completed form or application to be registered as an elector, and whose name may have been omitted from or wrongly stated in the revised list has an opportunity to file a claim to have the matter heard by the revising officer.

Election open to observers

The Association of Caribbean Electoral Organizations (ACEO) promotes cooperation and mutual assistance among electoral authorities in the Caribbean, and the use of election processes that ensure free, fair and peaceful elections. The Cayman Islands is part of the (ACEO) whose objectives are achieved, in part, through strengthening independent and impartial electoral organizations and administrators; promoting public confidence through transparent electoral procedures; providing a forum for the exchange of experiences, information and technology pertaining to elections; and establishing a Caribbean-based resource center for research and information.

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