C4C targets appliances in anti-corruption campaign
(CNS): Despite the question marks raised over the so-called ‘treating’ by their endorsed candidates at a recent rally in George Town, the Coalition for Cayman is launching an anti-corruption campaign to persuade voters not to sell their votes. With yearsof speculation that politicians have been guilty of supplying voters with refrigerators, microwaves and other electrical appliances in the run up to past elections, the coalition said Wednesday that the country could no longer let politicians continue to grow a culture of corruption. The advertising campaign will consist of television and radio ads titled “Appliances”, in which C4C urges the Caymanian voters not to sell their vote for an appliance or a frozen turkey.
“As an advocate for good government, Coalition for Cayman believes the first step to restoring the public’s trust in our democracy is ending the dishonest practice of vote buying,” said officials from C4C. “The fact is, trading your vote is not only illegal it also allows unethical politicians to grow a culture of corruption in our government. As an advocacy group, our role is to protect the future of Cayman by supporting and promoting Country First leadership, and electing the right leaders begins by electing honest leaders,” the group added.
The Elections Office has said that it will be paying close attention to the continued allegations of corruption during this year’s campaign, which has begun with a ban on entertainment and catering at public meetings in order to prevent the lavish parties and pre-election rallies that have become part of the local campaigns. In addition, the office said it would be watching out for any form of inducement, vote buying or undue influence.
The C4C launched its campaign against the political system rather than the behaviour of specific politicians and blamed parties for the development of corruption. There are many who disagree with that position, including local political experts who have pointed out that during the days of loose affiliations and teams corruption was very much a part of the campaigns as well as the horse trading for Cabinet positions after the result. It was at that point that candidates would wheel and deal to cobble together governments, picking the leaders and ministers after the election.
Given the events of the last four years, many say that corruption in government and local politics is at the hands of individual politicians, and while voters may be frustrated with the political choices before them, they also see corruption and mismanagement in the local government administrative system as well as among the elected officials.
A copy of the “Appliances” television ad can be viewed on the C4C website here.
Category: Politics
My fellow Caymanians, this is what you will get if you should vote C4C. They will not make any decision in favour of Caymanian in every aspect of your lives. In GT vote PPM, in WB Vote PPM in BT Vote PPM. C4C has nothing to offer you all. This is one time Caymanian will have a say in Cayman…VOTE NOT FOR C4C.
I needs a fridge for my apartment in Frank Sound!
What's the apartment's square footage? (And say it's in West Bay!)
Giving away appliances is soooo. 90’s…it’s WAY BIGGER than that now C4C aka confusion 4 caymaninians
We all need to keep an eye out for and report treating or vote buying in this, most critical, election. There needs to be an anonymous tip line that anyone can call. The only way to have a fair election is for EVERYONE to report every instance of this. We all know it goes on, we all know someone who has benefitted, most of us have been asked if we will be "giving out stuff". The public along with the election observers can keep this to a minimum if we ALL choose to be a part of a truly democratic election.
Because I feel the need to clarify and simplify the article for those who are thumbsing down or are writing uneducated comments…
This C4C campaign is targetting the CORRUPTION of VOTE BUYING. Oh, it's a waste of time running this advert? No. There are people out there who actually trade their votes for material items, and then we have the clowns we have today because of it. So it is important to tackle the issue of corruption from politicians.
But I'd also like to see more on the economy and actual ideas that will get this economy going down here. Not interested in personal attacks on other political parties, tbh.
Really? Really? Really?
Instead of campaigning about things that would benefit the islands more, this is the foolishness you want to do. Seriously, C4C go sleep and when you clear you head and figured out where you are, then come back!
Ciao~
C4C is bring to attention of the public what really happens just before elections.
Politicians and the udp, pna, ppm will do or give you whatever you need to secure the votes. It isthe only time they seem to really listen and act. So thank you C4C for shedding light on these practices and doing the public awareness on the subject especially giving away cash and vote buying in the hope of support.
sounds like somebody(above) wants their back scratched.
Tell me kind sir, Why is it foolishness?
Should be a capital at the start, a comma after 'me' and a small w after 'sir'. Other than that, I agree. (PS What's wrong with wanting your back scratched?)
About time this was highlighted…Caymanians love these giveaways. Funny thing is some take the stuff and vote for someone else. But the fridges, the gutters, the marl, the stoves etc keeps flowing. Lets not be silly this time. Anyone who buys your vote is going to FORGET you for next 4 years. They can cause they own you.
Some people seem to make a joke of the candidates involved in this election. My advice, and personal opinion, is that if you are a registered voter then do your homework and decide which candidates, you feel, will do the best for our country, our children, our lives and our economy. I personally haven’t decided who I will vote for yet as I am still going through the profiles of the various candidates. However, what I have learned is CNS blogs isn’t necessarily the best way to base my opinion on candidates.
One has to be allowed to poke a little fun to remain sane, given the lunacy afoot. But then you need to eventually focus, I agree.
You all need focus on issues!! Stop going on Rooster sounding like a bunch of puppets that rehersed their speeches!! Nothing like substance comes out of the mouth of C4C candidates, at least Mr. Smith has heart.
C4C – for the Rich not the Poor!!!
This article is focussing on the issue of CORRUPTION fool fool – and if you would only take the time to listen to the other issues these candidates are concerned about (by research), then perhaps your comment may have some substance….
22.00- corruption is not an issue in Cayman??
You clearly just got off a cruise ship and found an internet cafe for your few hours here…
Corruption is RIFE here…you can see it and smell it everywhere. Any deal done without transparency is suspect, which makes pretty well everything the current administration has done corrupt. And a hint, you can tell more about corruption from what is NOT said…rather than what is..
I saw this add and it is a down right insult for proud Caymanians. The way this add is run it gives the impression that all Caymanians usually sell their vote for chickens and appliances. Most of the Cayman for Cash (C4C) backers and founding fathers are not born Caymanians and we cannot expect more from them. They try to buy the government by throwing a lot of money for campaigning.
Please Name those that aren’t Caymanian born …….
Oh we sure do sell our votes. Whomever gives me the most got my vote. Thanks to Arden for all those turkeys last time. Fed us for two weeks.
They were turkeys, not chickens.
Oh, thats OK then, please pass the cranberry sauce and sage-onion stuffing! If it had been chickens…such a low class of bribery one feels…what? Tootle pip
21:58, "founding fathers are not born Caymanians"???????????????????????
If the founding fathers are not to be considered Caymanian in your tiny little brain, then what the f**k is a Caymanian?
Doesn't a population stem from the "founding fathers / families"?????????
Is that you again Foolio?
This is funny, but so true. Not so funny when we really think about it though.
About time someone finally speaks up about these acts. This has been running rampant for too long.
Political parties will never admit to it but it has been happening for decades. There are no clean hands in Cayman politics
It's hard to believe that some of the same people who provided cash to Mac for the purchase of appliances in the past now thinks that it is a bad idea.
Name them with factual information please, it might sway my vote…….
Seriously, I don’t have a lot of time to read CNS, but a lot of what I see is speculation, and no facts. Please tell me there is proof of this.
It happens trust me especially the loads of marl, fill, top soil in addition to appliances, beef and turtle meat that is given away during election time. Ju-Ju was creative and decided to pave the Brac and private driveways in advance of the campaign season LOL
No facts? Why do you people continue to bury your heads in the sand?
The biggest thus far in this governments administration is the millions given to certain churches, ring any bells?
Well, if you did bother to take the time to read the CNS reports (and the media in general) you would be aware of an established history for the past several decades of political candidates buying people appliances in order to obtain their votes. The practice seems to be centred in the district of West Bay. To take the stance that in the absence of persons being hauled before the courts this is purely speculation is really quite imaginary. But this could well change this time round. My advice : keep tuned to CNS for the latest news.
Probably because of warranty issues.
Tooooooo late she's goneeeeee The great "Turkay" giveway caper went down over the Chrstmas and the votes are now counted and secured just like that $25 dollars in that Christmas card deal that too is done the perpatrators have gotten away clean C4C The evidence was piled up in plain sight outside a certain parties HQ for all who dared to look the party faithful now sit secure in they grab hole ready for the sympathy and obligation of voters to elect them. Da nah corruption boy! that is a bonafide election tactic that has worked for a long time ya and dey luw it cause dey keep electing certain candidates who do absolutely nothing for they constituents or Cayman. Tek licks C$C! Remember now Turkey makes you sleeepy just like some people i know who just can't seem to stay awake in the LA.
C4C sounds more like the political party — it keeps saying its not — sounds like a duck–must be a duck —
As a West Bay voter I would like to know are there are likely to be any "dual-voltage" appliances on offer this time round, specifically wine-coolers? The thing is I may be returning to the UK where they use 240V. Grateful for any help.
In my district it is loads of fill. I've never heard of appliances but the deliveries of loads of fill are just ridiculous.
Gosh! I am shocked, I wonder which two people could possibly own the quarry?
Hopefully the loads of fill will serve to establish a road system into your presumably remote district. Then you will at long last be able experience these things called "appliances" as they trundle their way in!
I hear they already started giving away gifts in my district. Dirty lil boy