OMOV campaigners spent only $33,000
(CNS): Activists in favour of one man, one vote in the recent referendum spent only a fraction on campaigning to win the vote compared to government who spent over $100,000 of public funds. The OMOV group collected $29, 483.30 from private donors and spent $33,816.26 on advertising t-shirts, brochures, and meeting room rental, according to financial statements released on Wednesday. The deficit of $4,334.96 was made up by committee members from their own pockets for the referendum that returned a vote more than two to one in favour, in most districts, of the democratic principle.
Despite winning the referendum with 5,631 ‘yes’ representing some 65 per cent of the 8,676 persons who voted. With only 57.23 per cent of registered electorate actually voting, the referendum fell short of the high 50 per cent plus one bar, of registered voters, set by government, for single member constituencies to be implemented.
The release of the financial documents (posted below) is in keeping with the committee’s promise to be transparent with the public about its funding. The statement, as at 24 July, shows that the campaign received a total income of $29, 483.30, with the majority of that — $21,683.30 — coming from individual contributions. Expenses totalled $33,816.26, leaving a deficit of $4,334.96. The bulk of expenses represented direct advertising to the tune of $25,299.50, with the rest covering items such as t-shirts, brochures, and meeting room rental.
Although the referendum returned a ‘yes’ majority the government has also refused to accept the result as advisorybut the premier recently announced that a bi-partisan group was to be established to look at Cayman’s voting system and announced the possibility of changing it to ‘two men, two votes’ with the introduction of nine double member constituencies in order to accommodate the three new seats which are required in order for government to implement the constitutional provision of a sixth minister in Cabinet.
See financials below
Category: Politics
A breakdown of how the $100,000.00 (of our money) was spent should prove to be very interesting indeed.
I'm going to ask again…
The TV ad's that were run that were AGAINST OMOV all had – Paid for By The Office of The Premier at the bottom – AKA The Cayman Government.
Why did the public pay for the ads pushing HIS agenda?
Not all Government politicans were for OMOV.
Seems The Premier should have used HIS own funds to facilitate HIS agenda.
Give all 100K back, Mac. As I do believe the people spoke to you loud and clear.
Two words.. ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY!
Something that this Gov't cannot provide. And yet there are still some a/h's out there who prefer Mac over Ezzard..
One word.. MAINIACS!
Thank you guys for a very timely submission, you did not have to as you did not spend publicc funds. Even if Foolio says so. It would be nice to have Govt give a proper accounting of the amount of our money they spent trying to defeat their own referendum.
Hmmm, look who was more efficient with their funds…and Mac says that there is no other expenditures that can be cut. Yea ok…
$33,000 versus over $100,000.
This is clear and explicit evidence of government inefficiency (and possible corruption).
No two ways about it. This is as corrupt as anything seen anywhere in the world. For the government to spend 100,000 of public money on an agenda of no concern to itself? Wow, wake up people! Elected officials have an opinion just like everyone else. However, they should have raised private funds (just like supporters of OMOV) and not use funds from people of a country who are already severely suffering. I seriously can't believe what I'm reading. Things are taking a course the way of the Turks & Caicos Islands if things don't make a drastic change.
That was a very fine effort. The battle is far from over.
Where did all the money go mac? a fridge here, a microwave there perhaps