Politics
Elections underway in the Cayman Islands
Incumbent Cayman Islands Premier Julianna O’Connor Connolly
Voters in the Cayman Islands are going to the polls today to elect a new government with political observers pointing to the possibility of a coalition administration emerging after the ballots are counted.
The vote comes six months after former Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush resigned following his arrest on suspicion of corruption.
Polls opened at 7:00 am (8:00 am EST) and will close at 6:00 pm local time (7:00 pm EST).
The two major parties in the race are the main opposition People’s Progressive Movement – under the leadership of attorney Alden McLaughlin and the United Democratic Party, led by former premier McKeeva Bush.
The People’s National Alliance, a breakaway faction of the United Democratic Party is fielding five candidates, while the Coalition for Cayman, has endorsed a slate of seven candidates.
There are a number of independent candidates among the 56 candidates vying for the 18 seats in the Legislative Assembly.
Incumbent premier Julianna O’Connor Connolly, who replaced Mr. Bush, is running for her seat in the Cayman Brac riding, but not as party leader.
Political observers say the race in George Town, the capital of this financial services jurisdiction, will be an interesting affair with 21 candidates vying for the six available seats.
There is no history of consistent scientific opinion polls in the lead up to elections in the Cayman Islands, and unscientific polls by the various media houses indicate there is a chance of no party securing an outright majority, meaning a coalition government could be a distinct possibility. -(CMC)