Boundary commission goes on the road
2015 Electoral Boundary Commission (L-R) Adrianne Webb, Lisa Handley, PhD (chair) and Steve McField
(CNS): The recently formed Electoral Boundary Commission, which will make recommendations for the changes to the country’s political landscape to accommodate the anticipated shift from multi-member-multi-voting to single member constituencies and one vote, is going on the road this month. The commission will begin a series of public meetings next week in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and people are urged to go along to share their thoughts on the planned transition.
The government passed a motion in the Legislative Assembly in September last year to begin the process. It also opted to reconvene a boundary commission as the last one was published five years ago.
The outline of possible single member constituencies was established in that report and related to the polling station areas. However, with a growth in the population and the number of voters over the last five years, the premier said he felt there was a need for a more updated review.
The government is pushing for the commission to complete its report by the end of June, when, based on the recommendations, the government will make the necessary legislative amendments to pave the way for the historic change to the way Cayman elects its political leaders.
There is no equity in the current voting system, with registered electors having different numbers of votes depending on where they live Voters in George Town have six votes, those in West Bay and Bodden Town have four each, and in the Sister Islands they have two, while voters in East End and North Side have just one.
Urging members of the public to attend the district meetings, which will take place in each of the current six constituencies, Commission Chair Lisa Handley, a United States academic, said the members will listen to suggestions over where the new constituency boundaries should be drawn, taking into account population, communities of interest and natural boundaries.
Also on the commission are local attorneys Adriannie Webb, appointed by the premier, and Steve McField, who was picked by the opposition leader.
Government officials said the commission members have already sought technical information from relevant government departments, such as Lands and Survey, the Planning Department, the Economics and Statistics Office and the Elections Office.
The commissioners will submit their recommendations on the establishment of single member constituencies to the governor in the first instance, and the commission has a deadline of the end of June as officials say they expect that the new voting system will be in place in time for the 2017 general elections.
The introduction of ‘one man, one vote’ (OMOV) was an election promise made by the PPM on the campaign trail but at first the premier backed away from dealing with the issue, implying he did not believe it was a priority to the Cayman people. However, as a result of pressure from the opposition benches and, CNS understands, from inside his own party, the premier re-considered and last September brought a motion to the LA to begin the process.
The commissioners were appointed earlier this year and began their work in February. In addition to the public meetings, they will appear on Radio Cayman’s Talk Today programme on Monday 20 April. To help guide feedback, the commission is producing a brochure that will outline its remit and scope of work to the public. The brochure will be available online at www.elections.ky
I agree with one man one vote and here is the best way to do it: Have only one elected representative for each District in Grand Cayman and one elected representative for Cayman Brac and one elected representative for Little Cayman. Each person residing in each District can only vote for one person out of however many chooses to run for that District.
The election of Cabinet, since it represents all three islands, would be a separate election and they would have to run as a team with each voter in all three islands having just one vote for whichever team they wish, or think would be the best qualified to run the country. We would know up front who will be the Minister for what and can hopefully avoid any “driftwood” who have no knowledge or expertise being elected to Cabinet. This is not and should not be a popularity contest.
I go to the meetings if I didn’t have to listen to McField.
I hope this country remembers the leadership of Anthony Eden and Al Suckoo when we finally get Equality in voting! Both of those gentlemen stood up for the people of these islands and should be remembered for their unwavering commitment and loyalty.
I am not convinced yet that they will really make it happen. If they do not the PPM is toast. if they do they have a chance.
Let me quote from the PPM manifesto: “We shall continue to uphold the highest standards of good governance by: Amending the Elections Law to establish single member constituencies in good time for the 2017 elections thereby giving effect to the desires of the majority of Caymanians who participated in the One Man One Vote Referendum.”
I was a very active supporter of the PPM in the last election and did so because the promised OMOV as we voted on. I think the PPM is doing a very good job in many areas. But let me be perfectly clear! If they fail to fulfill on this promise I will not vote for them again. This is the matter that they got elected on. They need to understand that I can work just as hard against them next election as I could for them. OMOV will be my deciding factor!
good going!
Spoken like a true outsider.
The numerical size of the districts need to trump historical district boundaries as the unequal sizes based on population is unfair to the people. There will be loud cries from some who live in and the politicians of these small districts but going to OMOV should be done fairly and correctly. The value of the district mentality no longer serves the country as a whole.
The rotten borough of North Side has to go.