Quitting the race before the big day

Director of Elections,
Kearney Gomez

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

With the big race now well and truly underway for Election 2005 the field of contenders are declared and although a few candidates that were expected to run had quit before nomination day, Director of Elections, Kearney Gomez believes we are unlikely to see many people leave the race now at this stage.

“In the past twelve years we have had only three persons who decided not to run in the elections after having confirmed their candidacies on Nomination Day,” he said.

This does not mean to say that if candidates do change their mind that they cannot quit if they so choose. Electioneering is not for the faint heart and as many candidates in this year’s race have pointed out this is an important election and the campaign is likely to be hard fought. If candidates do decide to step down there are certain procedures that they must follow. 

“The Elections Law makes provisions for this as there are regulations surrounding how this bowing out process should take place.

“The law states that a candidate can only withdraw if the application for withdrawal is submitted ten days before the electorate go to the polls. The application for withdrawal of candidacy must be submitted to, and signed by, the returning officer in the district in which the candidate is seeking election,” Mr Gomez said.

Of course any candidate that decides not to continue between now and ten days before polling and bows out of the race, will lose their $1,000 deposit.

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