GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (CMC) — Over 21,000 Caymanians are eligible to participate in today’s general election to determine the next Legislative Assembly for this British Overseas Territory.
This general election is a historic one as for the first time, Caymanians will begin the process of voting for a government under the equitable system of ‘one man, one vote’ in single member constituencies.As a result, all voters will choose just one candidate on the ballot sheet in their electoral district.
The polls opened at 7:00 am (local time) in the 19 electoral districts and will close at 6:00pm. The election is seen as a straight race between the ruling People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) that has governed the country for the last four years and the main opposition the Cayman Democratic Party (CDP).
The PPM is led by Premier Alden McLaughlin and there are 15 candidates representing the party. The CDP is led by McKeeva Bush and has eleven candidates.
There are 23 independent candidates.
The party to win at least 10 seats, will form the next government.
Late Tuesday, Supervisor of Elections, Wesley Howell said the counting of ballots will begin as soon as the polls close at 6:00pm and the outcome should be known by midnight.
The general election is being observed by a team from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Led by Stephen Rodan, the President of Tynwald, which is the parliament of the Isle of Man, the mission members say they will be looking at the full process of the election following the territory’s historic shift to ‘one man, one vote’.
During a recent press conference Rodan said the team is aiming to offer an impartial and independent assessment of the election process and the team will have a preliminary report by Friday.
