Up-Front
A stunning 98.2% declared theirinterests
In an almost unanimous act of compliance,56 of the 57 candidates contesting the General Elections declaredtheir financial interests and campaign contributions to the Registrarof Interests, prior to the elections, as required by law.
Up to the eve of the elections, only George Town candidate CraigBrown had not fulfilled the requirement. This is the first electionunder which candidates have had to fulfill this mandate.
Under the Registrar of Interests Law, 1996 candidates vying forpolitical office, and elected Members of the Legislative Assembly,among other persons, are required to report "any pecuniaryinterest or material benefit...which might reasonably be thoughtby others to influence ... actions, speeches or votes in the LegislativeAssembly, or actions taken in the capacity as a member."
Official members -- the Speaker of the House, the Chief Secretary,the Attorney General and the Registrar of interests - as wellas journalists reporting on meeting of the Legislative Assembly,are also required to report their interests.