Maltese MP to lead election observer’s team
CNS): Mario Galea, a member of parliament in Malta since 1992 who has served several times on election observer missions, will be leading the team set to come to the Cayman Islands shortly before the 22 May Election Day. Officials from the governor’s office said Tuesday that the team is likely to include up to ten experienced individuals from Commonwealth countries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. The office also confirmed that the FCO will be footing the bill for the mission. The overseas territories minister, Mark Simmonds, said he was encouraged by the Cayman government’s readiness to invite election observers.
“It is good practice for mature democracies to invite observers and an opportunity to demonstrate that election processes are robust, free and fair,” he said.
The governor’s office, in consultation with the election supervisor, will now agree a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Isles and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which has organized the mission, on the operation of the observers in line with standard international practice, which officials said would be made public as soon as it has been agreed.
The elected arm of government agreed to the mission following a request by the OT minister, which was supported by a majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly when they defeated a motion brought by the former premier. McKeeva Bush said the arrival of the observers would undermine Cayman’s standing on the international stage as, despite the country’s election record, this would give the impression of impropriety at the polls. However, the motion was rejected by the House and was supported only by his three UDP parliamentary colleagues.
With the support of the majority of elected officials, the governor issued the formal letter of invitation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) requesting that they organise the team. Andrew Tuggey, Secretary to the CPA BIMR, confirmed that the BMIR will provide the mission, in partnership with the Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS), a not-for-profit organisation which provides supportand advice on democratic processes around the world, and with the Association of Caribbean Electoral Organisations (ACEO).
Category: Politics
Dear Observers,
WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME.
We only ask that you pay VERY SPECIAL attention to McKeeva and the UDP.
Thank you.
Welcome Observers.
According to a report by Transparency International UK (TI-UK) the British public perceive political parties to be the most corrupt sector in the UK.
The report states that politics in the UK has been plagued by corruption scandals and that public trust in politicians is plunging.
Two important facts that you should take away from the report are…
1. Whatever the causes, it is not possible to ignore the fact that the steady stream of political corruption scandals in recent years has eroded public confidence not just in individual politicians, but also in political institutions and that there is a danger that the public will cease to regard decisions made by government and parliament as legitimate and fair.
2. Corruption represents a serious threat to British democracy and, ultimately, to the rule of law.
As decisions made by politicians in the UK can have a significant impact on the Cayman Islands it is important that the Cayman Islands send election observers to the UK to ensure that the election processes are robust, free and fair.
Source: http://www.transparency.org.uk/our-work/corruption-in-the-uk/politics
Do you want to give some concrete examples of this corruption or are you just relying upon assumptions?
Do you have access to Google or the TI-UK website? If you were not so lazy you would be able to find all of the information that you are looking for.
Did you read the comment?
I think that the person is relying on research done by Transparency International UK (TI-UK).
But there has only really been the expenses scandal, which in 90% of cases was a case of MP's following accountant's advice as to the scope of the arcane expense system for MPs which proved to be wrong. A small small group intentionally abused that system and they have faced due process. The important thing about the expenses issue was that it did not impact upon the political decision making of the nation, which is the touchstone of corruption properly so called.
Tell that to the British public. It is the British public that perceive political parties to be the most corrupt sector in the UK. Are you saying that they are all just a bunch of idiots?
Postal Ballots should only be signed by people in their straight minds. Alot of these people are suffering from dimentia and no memory. They should be first checked by a Doctor. There are lots of them in Cayman Brac. A husband died since the last election however his wife dosent have a mind anymore and should not be allowed to vote by postal ballot either. Lets hope no one is applying for one for her. These Inspectors will need to have alot of eyes.
It would be very pleasing to the public if she would look into the matter of Kel Thompson not being able to vote in Cayman Brac where he spends the better of his most enjoyable times such as weekends and holidays. If it was suggested that the voters list should be cleaned up then Ms Julies son who works and I think recently studies as well should be off the list as well. If these folks look around they will find alot of convenient flaws.
If this person only spends weekends and holidays somewhere then by definition their primary residence is somewhere else.
What ia good for the geese is good for the gander. Julies son works in Cayman as well but his name was not struck off the list. Check it out.
Come on down and stop the ROT.
Check out those absentee ballots,
and make sure they are unable to come to the poles
and are not insane. Bet more than 6 (half a dozen) go to
the same P O Boxes yes Boxes.
Also check out the agents that are stationed near to the polling
station(s)
Interesting, Malta is one of the most corrupt places in Europe. Glad to hear the FCO is footing the bill for this jolly.
I do hope they will not be cross Maltesas.