Electoral Boundary Report Delivered
The Cayman Islands Electoral Boundary Commission (EBC) completed its mandate and delivered its highly anticipated report to the Acting Governor, Mr Franz Manderson, MBE, and Parliament on August 4th, 2023. The delivery report marks a significant milestone in reviewing and adjusting the electoral district boundaries in the Cayman Islands.
Established under Section 88 of The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, the Electoral Boundary Commission comprises a distinguished panel of experts, including Dr Lisa Handley as Chairman, Dr Steve McField as a member appointed on the advice of the Premier, and Ms Adriannie E. Webb as a member appointed on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.
Acting Governor Manderson expressed gratitude to the commission members stating, "I want to thank the Chair, Dr Lisa Handley and members A. Steve McField and Adriannie Webb for their expertise and dedication. Their work is instrumental in safeguarding the fairness and integrity of our democratic process."
The Commission's primary objective was to review the electoral district boundaries in light of the constitutional mandate to carry out this process at least once every eight years. The previous Electoral Boundaries Commission submitted its report in August 2015, necessitating the appointment of a newly constituted Commission by August 2023.
During its work, the Commission meticulously examined the existing electoral districts, taking into account changes in population and potential modifications to the number of elected members of Parliament. The process involved soliciting views from members of the public and seeking advice from various stakeholders.
The Commission's work culminated in a comprehensive report containing their recommendations for any changes in the number and boundaries of the electoral districts. The report focuses on balancing respect for traditional communities and ensuring parity in population representation.
As per the constitutional requirements, the Premier is to lay before Parliament for approval the draft of an order to give effect, with or without modification, to the recommendations outlined in the EBC report. If any amendments are proposed, the Premier will provide a statement of the reasons for these adjustments.
The Cayman Islands Electoral Boundary Commission of 2023 builds on the previous work carried out in 2015, which established single-member constituencies following a mandate to do so.
The Commission expresses its gratitude to the public for their active engagement in the consultation process, ensuring that citizens' voices and perspectives were considered in shaping the electoral landscape.
