Nominees to ‘come clean’

(CNS):  With nomination day some ten days, away the Registrar of Interests and Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Wendy Lauer said all election candidates are required to declare their interests on the date they accept the nomination. The law also states that the interests of a nominee’s spouse and children held at the date of nomination must also be declared. Lauer explained that the main purpose of the register of members’ interests is to provide information of any pecuniary interest or other material benefit which a member receives that might reasonably be thought by others to influence his or her actions, speeches or votes in the Legislative Assembly, or actions taken in his or her capacity as a member.

In other words, all would-be politicians need to come clean regarding their assets, benefits and specific connections that could lead them to be biased in some way.

The requirements for declaring interests are provided under section 4 of the Register of Interests Law 1996. Forms should be submitted to the Registrar at the Legislative Department in the Legislative Assembly building, Fort Street, George Town.  The Register of Interests Law 1996 together with the requisite declaration form is available at the Legislative Department and on the official website of the Legislative Assembly www.cila.ky. 

Any kind of occupation, business interests, partnerships, connections or investments have to be made, under that law, to ensure the impartiality and objectivity of political representatives once they are elected. Those not conforming to the law are guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine up to $5000.