Amid reports of vote-buying and voter harassment during the ongoing election period, the Elections Office has issued a press release urging all candidates, supporters and voters to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell said, “To date, these reports are unconfirmed,” but he added, “the Elections Office has a duty to investigate allegations.
“When they are received, they will be forwarded to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.”
He added they were aware that patties and snacks were often available at political rallies. However, the supervisor of elections would not be drawn on whether handing out whole hams and turkeys reached the level of an ‘inducement’. He again urged the candidates and their supporters to err on the side of caution.
According to the Elections Office, “Any voter who, either before or during an election, accepts, agrees to accept, or makes a deal to receive money, gifts, loans, jobs, or any other benefit — either for themselves or for someone else — in return for voting, agreeing to vote, not voting, or agreeing not to vote, is committing an offence under the Elections Act.”
The Elections Office reminded the public that such practices are a serious offence.
“Recent allegations suggest that some candidates or their supporters may be offering gifts, food cards, appliances, or even money in exchange for votes,” the office said.
“Offering or accepting any form of inducement intended to influence voting decisions is a serious election offence.”
Under the Elections Act, penalties on summary conviction can result in disqualification from voting or running for office for up to five years, fines of up to $2,000 or a year in prison.
Allegations of vote-buying are not new to this election cycle. In the lead up to the 2021 election, a campaign promise by then Premier Sir Alden McLaughlin to increase the tourism stipend if reelected resulted in an investigation. McLaughlin was later cleared of wrongdoing.
In 2017, the Elections Office received reports of “extravagant dinners of turtle steak and lobster or other rewards being given to voters attending certain political meetings”. Those allegations were passed on to the police.