A report issued by the domestic observers of April’s general election has recommended that the time polling stations are open should be reduced by three hours, from the present 6pm closing time to 3pm.
The change would reduce voting time from 11 hours to eight hours.
“This adjustment would allow for earlier commencement of the counting process and help reduce the workload and stress on election officers,” the report stated.
It added that polling station officials showed “visible signs of exhaustion” during the count and that some had worked almost 24 hours straight.
“If a shortened window is not adopted, additional measures such as rotating shifts or increasing staff capacity during counting should be explored to safeguard both the integrity of the process and the well-being of election staff.”
Standing election observation team
The report also recommended a standing election observation team of three to five members be set up to ensure polling is above board.
“Their involvement would ensure consistent, informed observer coverage throughout the pre-election period,” the report explained.
“Additionally, the mission would serve as an established body to monitor and publicly report on the status of recommendations from previous observation reports, helping to ensure these remain visible, prioritised and accessible to the public.
“While implementation ultimately rests with Parliament and relevant authorities, the mission can play a valuable role in maintaining momentum and transparency around these reforms.”
The seven-strong 2025 team added that the standing team should be expanded to at least nine members in an election year, with an open application process.
The report also recommended that applications from potential extra observers should be accepted in the first week of February or as soon as the dissolution of Parliament was announced, with a shortlist drawn up the day after nomination day for election candidates and appointments finalised within 14-21 days of nomination day. This process would ensure that people with close ties to nominated candidates could be excluded.
The 2025 observers said the present practice of appointing observers closer to nomination day limited the time available to get to grips with the terms of reference, develop observation plans and conduct thorough monitoring.
The report said, “As a result, some important campaign activities, such as rallies and the initial issuance of postal ballots, were not observed.”
Social media rules
The report also tackled the increased use of social media during elections and recommended tighter rules on its use.
“Social media played a significant role in the 2025 election, with most candidates and parties actively using online platforms to promote their campaigns,” it said.
“Electors and media outlets also used these channels to engage in public discourse around electoral issues.
“There were observations of disinformation, as well as unsubstantiated claims and accusations, that, in some cases, could be considered defamatory.”
The domestic observers added that transparency and accountability over social media should be improved over election periods and highlighted a lack of regulations on political advertisements, sponsored content or unofficial publications.
“This creates an environment where disinformation and undeclared political endorsements can flourish without oversight,” the report said.
“We recommend the introduction of clear guidelines or legislation requiring all online campaign material to disclose its source and any affiliation, direct or indirect, with a candidate or political party.”
The observers said paid adverts and boosted posts on services such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube should include disclaimers to identify the sponsors.
The report added, “Such provisions would enhance public trust in the electoral process and reduce the spread of misleading or anonymous political content online.”
Constituency boundaries and spending
The report repeated earlier calls for constituency boundaries to be redrawn before the next general election to tackle size imbalances and ensure fair representation.
It also backed previous recommendations that the Elections Act should be amended to extend campaign spending limits into the pre-nomination period, instead of from nomination day — the situation at present.
The report added pre-nomination expenditure should be subject to disclosure rules and that rules and reporting requirements should be drawn up to cover third-party spending, in-kind contributions and coordinated campaigning.
The domestic scrutineers added there should be more public education campaigns on electoral inducements and that ‘treating’ — usually defined as offering food, drinks and other refreshments to win votes — should be given a proper legal definition in Cayman law.
The report said the public also needed more information to help decide their vote in referendums, including easy-to-understand guides, FAQs sections and multi-media resources.
The domestic observers worked alongside a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association observer team from the British Islands and Mediterranean Region.
The domestic report said some thought the domestic observers were there so people could voice their concerns or opinions, even after Election Day, and that there was confusion between the home-grown team and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association observers.
It added, “Public education efforts should include definitions and explanations of both domestic and international observer missions to prevent future misunderstandings.”