Political coalition wants OMOV for May election
(CNS): The group of political activists, the Coalition for Cayman (C4C), has called on members of the Legislative Assembly to honour the results of last summer’s national referendum and implement one man, one vote for the next election. However, the new minority government is unlikely to support the call as the deputy premier said last week that election preparations were already underway and it would not be possible to amend the election law in time for the national vote. Although at least four of the new minority government may privately now feel that one man, one vote in single member constituencies looks far more attractive to them than it did last July, it appears to be too late for a full scale change.
While there is probably not enough time to implement an education campaign for the change to single member constituencies, there may be time to change the law to provide for voters to have just on vote in all districts and allow the returning officers in multiple member constituencies to put through the top six candidates as being elected.
C4C has note spelt out if it supports that position but has said that, since the majority of the voters who participated in the democratic process on 18 July last year voted in favour of the referendum question, with five out of six districts voting for one man, one vote, the new government should honour that result.
“Caymanian voters have done their part by approving One Man, One Vote by an overwhelming 65%. We urge the MLA’s to honour our democracy, respect the will of our citizens and put country first by immediately implementing this mandate by Caymanian voters,” a spokesperson for C4C said.
The group which is still not calling itself a political party asked each and every MLA to publicly state their position on OMOV. With the opposition already committed to implementing the system if they are elected and the two independent members clearly in favour of OMOV, having initiated the people’s referendum before it was hi-jacked by the former premier, the question appears to be aimed at the five former members of the UDP who now hold the minority government.
McKeeva Bush has stated his opposition to both one man, one vote and single member constituencies, while Ellio Solomon has said he is in favour of a national vote, indicating that the UDP members now sitting on the opposition benches are unlikely to support the OMOV.
However, it is clear that the C4C hopes that the UDP split may allow those former members of the UDP who may now privately support the concept of a more fair and equitable voting system to speak out.
“The question is clear,” the coalition said. “Will you respect the overwhelming approval of this measure by Caymanian voters? If not, you have an obligation to our citizens to come clean and explain your decision.”
The referendum was carried by the majority last summer and was, in the end, a government and not a people's referendum, which constitutionally requires a higherthreshold. However, Bush ruled that the vote still had to be carried by a majority of the entire electorate and not the numbers who came out to vote. As a result the poll fell short of the high bar set by the premier after he called the snap referendum, which helped ensure its defeat, despite the widespread support for the introduction of one man, one vote for the next election.
Category: Politics
Would like to know which candidates support single member constituencies!
Voters, vote smart – make sure you get ur candidates position on this and other important issues before they get your vote!
Interesting..C4C is acting more like a party then the declared parties themselves…dictating and demanding..reminds me of Mckeeva and a little like Alden but hidden by a number of faces ..
C4C Guys, come on, pick a color and roll out the party mat..it's just a matter of time!
Independents…stay independent, do not be beholding to UDP, PPM or C4C..They are parties and they will control you…Remember the money talks and these guys are loaded! If you really want to keep your principles don't subject yourselves to either party.
Looks like the C4C Chairman wasnt too much in favour of it, I wonder if he is supporting it now to get votes ?
http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2012/04/26/Equal-voting-rights-for-everyone/
First they lie about being a party
Then they lie about not running candidates
Now they lie about supporting OMOV
Can we really trust these dudes? Sound like more boardroom games being played and like the poor people will pay dearly if we put these jokers in.
What say you Winston and Roy? Are you really genuinely running for us or yourselves?
Jimmy…you got caught…careful what you write going forward…
You guys need to decide on a color..pick blue..I like blue!!
Can we please stop calling this type of electoral system One MAN One Vote? It's 2013. If Single-Member Constituencies is too complicated then One PERSON One Vote is less sexist.
Also, re: two votes each to vote separately for the Premier… we have a Westminster parliamentary system, not a Presidential system. Our head of Government is elected/supported from within the parliament, not separately.
Finally, there are many changes that could be made to the way we elect our leaders. We don't just have to choose between SMCs and MMCs but no one is even talking about how we actually vote and declare winners. Each type of electoral district and voting method has its own strengths and weaknesses and positive and negative outcomes for things like the party system, political diversity and certain democratic principles.
However, considering the lateness of the hour is it even possible to implement these proposed changes for May? Is it legally possible with things like election writs and election timelines? And is it feasible considering what the Elections Office will have to do and the fundamental change that candidates and voters will have to understand and respond to?
Beyond these immediate practical considerations, the subject matter is complex and there has been a very limited conversation thus far. Let's start having a real and comprehensive discussion on these issues, exploring all of our options. I feel like at this point we've simply waited too long and done too little to make any changes in the next few months. And by we I largely mean the politicians, who should be listening to their constituents and doing what they voted them in to do but also helping their constituents understand the issues and what actions would best for everyone (or at the very least the majority – that's how democracy is supposed to work).
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be doing anything. I'm just really sick of us ramming through changes without exploring all of our options and without people understanding what the changes will mean (oh hey, new constitution that most people voted for and are now criticising for provisions like increasing the number of MLAs). And I'm even more sick of us talking, talking, talking, agreeing on what is best and then never doing a damn thing about it. And what makes me the most irate? Paying people to tell us what to do – sometimes multiple people to tell us the same thing over and over – and then not doing it.
I would encourage everyone to read up not just on single member constituencies, but also on things like proportional representation, first-past-the-post voting, single transferable votes and other systems and methods. The Wikipedia pages are a great start and there are also some engaging Youtube videos on CGPGrey's channel that explain some of these concepts.
Then let's start talking about our elections in a broader sense. Ask your district candidates what their thoughts are, what changes they want to see, how they feel about things like parties and legislative diversity and proportionality of representation. How do they feel about the fact that this year many people will be voting for the lesser of two evils because our political landscape is changing and we're not changing the rules to accommodate those changes and minimise the negative outcomes? And after we elect a new/same old/shaken up group in May, let's hold them accountable to listen to us but also talk to us and make the best decisions for the country.
Its not enough time to educate the people on how it really works…I say lets get it ready for next election…You need lots of time to break it down to some of the people who vote for fridges / stoves / washers / dryers etc,etc,etc… (smile) Have a nice day !!!!!
Well done C4C! Thank you for bringing attention to the topic of OMOV why should GT have 6 votes?
We pay equal taxes and deserve equal rights and representation! Now is a chance for the coat tail riders to in the LA to show us they can stand on their own.
If they want real democarcy, they should push for ONE MAN 2 VOTES!
Vote 1 would be the democratic right to vote for our district MLA to represent our district like what we have now; and,
Vote 2would be the democratic right to vote for the Premier of the Cayman Islands. This would be a national vote including everyone in the process.
Right now people may elect their district MLA, but they will always be disenfranchised from having any part in choosing who should be their Premier. I feel C4C should include the 1 man 2 votes in their agenda to have the law change. If the people can vote in the Premier directly, the Premier would be more accountable to them because the people would have the right to recall the Premier and oust him themselves. That is what you people-democracy!
Moreover, if the C4C can't accomplish a 1 man 2 votes option, then at least they should strive to have provisions in our Constitution for the people to have the direct power to recall or remove by a district-vote, any district MLA they have lost confidence in.
We need to get away from the mindset that a Westminister system of government is the best and only option of democratic governance there is – that is false and brainwashing.
Where you been Roy, Winston and C4C? What i want to know is if C4c and Roy and Winston just realised that OMOV was an issue in Cayman? Where were their voices when then may have helped make it happen? Where was all thier money that the OMOV group so badly needed to help with the education process. Charlatans i say! That's what they are, political opportunists who just developed a conscience and an interest in Cayman. They should try to come with some policies that we can consider. It's too late now for the OMOV to be implemnted for the May elections. But i hear they want the elections put off so maybe this is just more rich man strategy.
Are you serious? Almost all of the OMOV group support and form part Of C4C:
Omov would not have happened without Johan, Sharon, Kent, Gary Rutty, Bo Miller, et al
I note that you conveniently left out Wayne Panton, Al Suckoo, Marco Archer and Woody DaCosta
And all the Progressives: Marco, alva kenneth and woody.
Don;t forget Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean who have been fighting for OMOV for 20 years.
Maybe Alden and the PPM wont push for it but he has some new members who did and I am sure he will not want to let them down!
"We will not have time to do this and apply the wishes of the people because we were in the U.K. explaining how we will follow good governance. So shut up!!"
OF COURSE THEY WILL NOT SUPPORT OMOV
The gang of five cannot change the history of their 3.5 years of reckless blind support for their elected despot leader Mr. Bush. They are on record of NOT supporting democracy and the peoples wishes for OMOV. THey were against supporting their people and the democratic process then and supported a manipulation of the entire referendum to ensure failure and blocked democracy taking place in that all absentee voters were counted as a NO vote.
They have been an absolute disgrace for 3.5 years so why would they suddenly change and do the right thing now. Shame and disgust on the gang of five for they have lost all credibility and the past 3.5 years will reflect on their reputations for life.
omov IS THE ONLY WAY to keep Mac. out of power.
"Although at least four of the new minority government may privately now feel that one man, one vote in single member constituencies looks far more attractive to them than it did last July, it appears to be too late for a full scale change" – Karma is a b*tch huh? Thought Papa Bush had your back. Hope you enjoy actually having to work for a living come May.
Not again!!!
Hello C4C…..get over it! The electorate DID NOT approve One Man One Vote. You guys scare me with your insistence to ignore the wishes of the people and impose your own. Even when you don’t agree with it. That is leadership that places country about self!
As I understand, the majority of Caymanians did support OMOV.
However someone who thinks he is important but we know better, was against it, got all sassy and like the little kid he is changed the rules to something like " 66% must support OMOV, including all west bayers and at least two cats, and one of those must be on a bicycle".
So get over it yourself, the majority spoke, just the XXXXX in charge changed the rules and broke democracy.
Lets see which of the 15 mlas will show that they are really are here for the country and will respond. For those who do not respond, vote them out, as they are not here for the people. Huge salaries that the public is paying these mlas and they havent proven that they earn it.
You must want ppm to have a fit!!!!!!! Will see who really was in support of this now.
Well done C4C. Good to see you taking a position on this much needed process.