Five prisoners taken to polls
(CNS): Over 8,500 voters have now voted in Cayman's general election, including five prisoners from HMP Northward who are on remand or convicted of lesser offences and had registered to vote. More than 46% of the electorate has already voted in what is expected to be a record-breaking turn out. The polls opened this morning at 7am and by 11am almost half of those who are eligible to do so had exercised their right to vote. In addition to mobile and postal ballots already received, in East End 49.3% have now voted and in North Side 43.07%. In Bodden Town 45.08% and in West Bay 45.15% in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman 47.79% have been to the polls, while in the capital of George Town 46.88% of registered voters have voted.
According to prison sources, the five prisoners who voted in the districts of Bodden Town, East End and West Bay are understood to be remand prisoners. Although most convicted prisoners cannot vote, some who have been convicted of minor offences can do so. However, most of Northward's inmates missed their democratic right as defined in the 2009 Constitution as they were not able to register.
So far, election officials say things are running smoothly and there has been no confirmation regarding allegations of harassment of voters in Savannah.
Category: Politics
Uhhhh – Since they RESIDE in Northward – shouldn't their voting district be Bodden Town?
Silly question – almost a silly as letting PRISONERS vote.
Good greif.
I wasn't certain exactly where to post the following statement, but then CNS gave me the opportunity with this story.
I remember the first time Dr. Frank ran for office, and as the votes were being counted he was walking around in a daze saying "What happened to the black vote?".
If he should wonder "What happened to the crack vote?" tonight, I believe the answer is here.
Next year a new inmate can find out who did not vote for him!
Whatever they are in custody for they must be counted as honest voters.
I mean how you goin' to smuggle 42" flat screen TVs even into Northward?
Ahh, through the front door?
Free day out 🙂 when they could have done the mobile voting….
In 4 yrs we may have several person running from Northward….. Of course on less than one year prison terms 🙂
Good to see them forging their way ahead.
I'm looking forward to seeing a prisoner elected, or an electee imprisoned.
This is so crazy. When imprisoned you dont have the same rights as the man outside of prison.
Only in Cayman. 🙁
These are remand prisoners according to this news article. Does that make any sense to you “This is so crazy…”?
And prisoners convicted of “lesser offences” according to this news article. Still does not make sense to you “This is so crazy..”? Thankfully Cayman does recognise these differences and seeks to protect their rights. “Only in Cayman” really?
The excitement mounts….