57 Compete for 15 Seats
Returning officer forGeorge Town Phillip Barnes (left), Pastor George McField, Brotherof George Town Candidate Dr. Frank McField (centre) his sister Beulah McFieldand mother Mrs. Martha McField
Only one declared candidate, out of 58 -a record todate - who announced their intention to contest theupcoming election on Wednesday, 8 November did not show up onWednesday, 27 September to confirm his Nomination.
Richard Bernard of George Town was in Australia,at the Olympics... the real one.
This show of resolve by candidates to fight for the 15 availableseats, and the possibility five from among themselves to be electedby their peers to the Executive Council, may very well set themood of the electors, numbering close to 12,000 to turn out inrecord numbers to vote.
Election Day has been declared a Public Holiday, and with thehigh number of candidates in the ring, without a clearly defined'team', 'alliance' or 'group' announced to be aligned to controlthe next Goverment, there is no specific theme or issue whichcould be identified by the public.
Thirteen of the previous 15 Members of the 1996 - 2000 LegislativeAssembly are among the Nominated Candidates, including the fivewho now sit on the Executive Council until a new one has beensworn in, in just seven weeks from now.
There is no clear indication of the mood to the preference ofany particular candidate by the electorate, as the various candidatesspin their reasons for being paid a third of a million dollars- nearly half if elected as a Minister to ExCo - to enact legislationand govern the affairs and future of this still affluent communityfor the next four years.
The Election Office, headed up by Supervisor Mr. Kearney Gomezis presently preparing a study of the history of elections inthe Cayman Islands. When completed, it will reveal many statisticsand memorable notes.
In the meantime, one fact which stands out is: Despite the predominanceof women leading in private business and public administrationsectors for as long as one remembers, only 25 percent of the NominatedCandidates is of this gender.
Candidates must fullfil their run for the House with another conditionto be met. They should be aware that now that their Nominationshave been confirmed, under a Law passed by the Legislative Assembly,they must immediately register all their interests in businessand personal holdings, including shares and directorships in companieswith the Registrar of Interests, who is also the Clerk of theLegislative Assembly.
This act of transparency will bode well with a familair theme- "know your legislator" - sought by the electorate.
Fetured in this spread, is the final list of candidates who havedeposited $57,000 - $1000 per candidate, in cash with the ElectionOffice, as their commitment to seek a seat for the 2000 - 2004Government of the Cayman Islands.