Voters asked to take election pledge

| 29/04/2013

images_44.jpg(CNS): As the local authorities continue to press the message home about election corruption, voters are also being asked to take a pledge not to sell their votes. In addition to the Elections Office and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s public education campaign reminding voters and candidates that any attempt to buy or sell votes in the 2013 election could lead to hefty fines and time in prison, they want registered voters to go further and are encouraging them to actually take a stand against corruption by taking the pledge and affirm that they will not engage in corrupt practices during the 2013 General Elections.

Although rumours of vote buying have been common in Cayman for many years, with candidate accused of bribing voters with everything from marl and electric appliances to turkey and alcohol, no one has ever been prosecuted. In addition, despite the belief that gifts for votes are common, whether voters' decisions are actually swayed by the bribes is impossible to tell as the ballot remains secret.

Nevertheless, with the continued speculation that nothing has changed in 2013, and despite the advent of anti-corruption law, voters are still being offered favours, gifts and even cash in exchange for their support on polling day. However, the authorities are stepping up efforts to at the very least raise awareness that election corruption undermines democracy and economic development.

The deputy governor and all the chief officers showed their support for the initiative by being the first to take a stand as they pledged to act against corruption. Members of the public who are interested in participating in this initiative are encouraged to download the pledge from the Elections Office Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ElectionsOffice or contact the Commissions Secretariat at deborah.bodden@gov.ky or 244-3685.

Any individuals or groups that send in pictures with a copy of the pledge will be uploaded to the Facebook page.

See pledge posted below.

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Category: Politics

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  1. Not Mr Gomez says:

    Her are a few hints:

    Check the CCTV in North Side and you will see a certain candidate delivering appliances. Helpful hint, there is no need to investigate Ezzard.

    Go to the next XXX Meeting in Bodden Town and look for the Van that appears locked up but with a line formed behind it. Inside the van you will find people serving alcohol (to minors). If you have any trouble finding the van, follow the line of totally drunk teens with their eyes rolling up in their heads.

    Go to the next XXX meeting. Now pay attention because this one is tricky. Go to the food concession and ask for a sandwich. Make sure you ask for one fo those special sandwiches. Inside the sandwich wrapped in waterproof paper, you will find some paper money wrapped up nice and neat for you. Special hint, remove the money before eating the sandwich its not meant to be eaten!!

    Call the Bodden Town XXX and tell them you need some home repairs, or your house painted, or your gardening done. Someone will magically show-up and do the work and they will not ask for money. They will tell you it has been taken care of. 

    Anyone who tells you that there is no vote buying here in Cayman is trying to distract you from the truth.

    • Anonymous says:

      Great!  I know how to get free booze, money and my hedges trimmed. 

  2. Anonymous says:

    Pointless because: Vote buying could only gain traction among the morally bankrupt minority, and those folk are not going to suddenly grow a conscience after signing an oath of honour that would have no relevance to them or their family.  

    A pledge requirement is also offensive to the overwhelming majority since it presupposes that all Caymanian voters could be swayed in the absense of it.  Every Naturalised Caymanian has already made their pledges, thank you very much for your concern.   

  3. Anonymous says:

    Looking at the poster:

    1) Terrible font choice

    2) It appears to say that the corrosive influence of our citizens extends to financial crime and other illicit areas.  While that may be true, I don't think that is what they were trying tosay.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Can you really blame poor people for selling their vote to the highest bidder?

     

    A vote is a valuable economic resource for the poor in this country. It can feed their children for several weeks.

    • Anonymous says:

      In Japan, we no have erection colluption. Take blue pill. Work everly time!!

  5. Anonymous says:

    I find this very offensive. This initiative makes Cayman look like a place that has a serious problem with people that are selling their votes. This is not true and I challenge anyone to provide proof that vote selling is a serious problem in the Cayman Islands. 

    I have never sold my vote and, like most Caymanians, would never sell my vote under any circumstances.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Pointless.

  7. Anonymous says:

    That’s not going to happen in wb! Totally brain washed bobo!

    Caymanian

  8. Anonymous says:

    I pledge if you buy me a new fridge, road, cash, boat, job I can’t vote for you as I’m a north slider and their is only one man running up,here. May have to switch districts next election so I can make the pledge… Mind you I need some crack!!!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    If you sell your vote, yes, you will go to prison.

    If you buy a vote, no, you won't go to prison.

    Let us be a bit more realistic and accept that we have two justice systems here.

    By the way, if a company helps a candidate with propaganda, you can be sure WE will pay for that.

  10. NeoSurvivor says:

    I have never, nor will I ever sell my vote.   Voting is a privilege that I hold dear.   There is truly not enough money in the entire Cayman Islands to buy my vote, let alone the appliances/fill/plastic cisterns, etc.   that have been leveraged for the price of a vote in the past. 

     

    I urge everyone to turn away from any inducement to sway your vote.   Read the websites, watch the words of the players and make a sound decision based upon what is good for the country.  

    • Anonymous says:

      This foolishnes I hear about alittle food after a campaign meeting do not buy no one a vote, but a promise like what Julianna made at her meeting saturday night will buy a vote from every seaman and every seamans spouse plus some of their other families. Just imagine she has promised to give the seamen $900 per month , that is about double of what they are receiving now. Who do you think would not vote for her with a promise like that.

      • Diogenes says:

        So your vote is worth $400.  And for that you would put an unscrupulous person in office, who can then rape and pillage the public exchequer – including paying for their election promises – with devastating effect on the economy?  The sad thing is that you do not even see the connection to your own financial well being, even if you dont give a damn about the country.  $400 in the hand doesnt pay for the taxes on gas, the unemployment, the taxes on food, the handover of national patrimony to any shark that can grease a palm.  And you complain when Caymanians are priced out of their own economy, and when foreigners own all the prime land (and soon the infrastructure industries too).  Sell your country and your birthright for $400 – deserve everything you get.  Just a shame others have to suffer from your shortsightedness. Shame on you. 

        • Anonymous says:

          First let me say I would never sell my vote either.

          However…it's $400+ per month the premier has promised. Many retired seamen and their dependents are getting by on less than $1200 per month. A 30 to 50 % increase, one month before an election, is indeed suspect and should be investigated as such!

           

  11. Anonymous says:

    WHY WE DID NOT HEAR ALL OF THIS IN THE OTHER ELECTIONS.   MR Election boss you knew very well what use to go on ,but you did nothing.  Now that the observers are coming you want things to look good

  12. The PPM says:

    The PPM took their pledge at their campaign launch, I dont see why the voters shouldnt do the same.

     

    • SSM345 says:

      I don't need to make a pledge, I will simply film / record the conversation if I am ever approached by somone looking to buy my vote. And then I will go on Cayman27 for the whole island to see.