HRC stresses importance of right to vote
(CNS Election): The people of the Cayman Islands now enjoy universal adult suffrage and the opportunity to participate in the democratic process but the Human Rights Commission said it was a hard fought process to get there. Stressing the importance of the constitutional right to vote, the commission said in a statement Monday, “This is a precious right, the importance of which is neatly encapsulated in Benjamin Todd Jealous’ explanation that: ‘The right to vote is the right upon which all of our rights are leveraged – and without which none can be protected’. Accordingly, as we approach a general election on Wednesday, 24 May 2017, it is a right that ought to be cherished and valued.”
Universal suffrage came to Cayman after twenty-four women from George Town wrote to Commissioner Ivor Smith in 1948 stating their intention to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming general election. But it was not until 4 July 1959, the rights of women to vote and stand for election were enshrined in the Cayman Islands (Constitution).
The right to vote is now embodied in section 92 of the 2009 Constitution, which provides for any person who is registered as an elector to vote in the General Election for members of the Legislative Assembly.
For more information on the Constitutional Commission, including educational materials on the Constitution itself, please visit their website, or contact info@knowyourconstitution.ky or 244-3685.
Category: Election News
We hope that you are encouraging them to vote!
Talking to alot of Caymanians saying they are not voting. This election looks like there will be alot of apathetic voters. We will just see how many folk show an interest 🙂
Not voting should not be confused for apathy. Some districts have no person running that they feel confident voting for. The Elections office should give these people their right to show up and express this with a “none of the above” vote. We need many Constitutional amendments, not least of which, allowing non-birth Caymanians the ability to use their charisma and knowledge to serve the people as MLAs and seek election. We have far too few candidates running, and many that never got out of the starting blocks.