Election’s office reminds candidates to check the law

(CNS): With the election season officially underway the Supervisor of Elections, Kearney Gomez is reminding all potential political candidates seeking to contest seats in the upcoming general elections familiarise themselves with the law. He said prospective politicians should know the rules regarding the qualifications and disqualifications of elected membership before they declare themselves in the race. Gomez said that in particular candidates needed to take note of the rule that requires them to declare any interests they have with regards to government contracts or work at least one month before polling day.

“All prospective candidates should endeavour to acquire copies of the Cayman Islands Constitution and familiarise themselves with the sections 18 and 19 of this document before Nomination Day, which is 25 March 2009,” said Gomez. Copies of the Constitution are available from the Legislative Assembly.

He also stated that currently there are just two political parties, namely the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) and United Democratic Party (UDP), registered and the Elections Law (2004 Revision) states that any group of people who have united to contest an election is eligible to be registered as a political party, although it is not compulsory.

“It is not a mandatory requirement for a group or team to be registered if they care not to,” Gomez said, but for those groups that would like to be registered as a political party they will need to declare themselves on Form 14, which should be submitted to the supervisor of elections by the president, chairman or secretary of the party.

“The application must be signed by the applicant with the full name of the party, and must be accompanied by a copy of the constitution of the party,” Gomez added.

He explained that he has the right to refuse to register a political party if the name is obscene, consists of more than five words or resembles that of another political party.

Applications to register political parties will not be accepted between Nomination Day and the day on which all writs for a general election have been returned, that is between 25 March and 25 May of this year.

Forms may be collected from the Elections Office or downloaded from the website www.electionsoffice.ky

The electors register remains open for those eligible to vote until the night of 1 February. Electors registered on Cayman Brac are advised that registration cards will be issued from District Administration, Creek Youth Centre and Spot Bay Primary School on Thursday and from West End Post Office, District Administration and Spot Bay Primary School on Friday of this week.

These stations will be open from 9:00 to 5:00 on both days.  All Brac electors are urged to take this opportunity to obtain their cards. Elector registration cards will be issued at intervals up until the first week in May.  Electors on Little Cayman will also be given an opportunity to obtain their cards at a later date to be announced.  Disabled electors wishing to get cards should contact the Elections Office at 949-8047 for arrangements to be made to accommodate them.