With the 2025 General Election fast approaching, the Elections Office is reminding individuals who wish to run for office that they must first complete the nomination process.

“Nomination Day is just around the corner—if you are considering running for office, now is the time to get ready. Familiarise yourself with all relevant legal provisions before agreeing to be nominated,” said Supervisor of Elections, Wesley Howell.

Nomination Day is set for Monday, 3 March 2025, and all nomination forms must be submitted to the Returning Officer in the candidate’s electoral district between 8 am and 3 pm. A full list of nomination locations is available from the Elections Office, below, and on the website www.elections.ky.

Important Reminders for Candidates

• Legal Advice: The Elections Office will not provide legal advice regarding candidate qualifications. Those with concerns should seek independent legal counsel.
• Standards in Public Life Declarations: Candidates must submit a Register of Interests Declaration to the Standards in Public Life Commission before Nomination Day. For more details, contact 244-3685 or email info@standardsinpubliclifecommission.ky.
• Nominators: Candidates must be nominated by at least two registered electors from the electoral district they are contesting. Knowingly nominating an unqualified person or not being a registered elector of that electoral district, is an offence punishable by a KYD$2,000 fine.
• Qualifications & Disqualifications: Candidates should carefully review nomination criteria set out in the Cayman Islands Constitution Order, 2009 and the Elections Act (2022). Anyone knowingly consenting to nomination while unqualified is liable to a KYD$5,000 fine.
• Nomination Deposit: A KYD$1,000 deposit, payable in cash or bank draft payable to the Cayman Islands Government, must accompany the nomination form. Unsuccessful candidates will have their deposits refunded, unless the candidate secures less than 10% of the total votes.
• Photo Requirement: A 2” x 2” passport-size colour photo must be submitted on Nomination Day for inclusion on the ballot paper. Candidates should ensure their name is legibly printed on the nomination form, and as they wish it to appear on the ballot. 
• Party Logos: Candidates must inform the Returning Officer if they belong to a registered party. Party logos will appear next to candidates’ photos on the ballot. Independent candidates will have “IND” displayed instead.
• Agents: Candidates must quickly appoint agents, in particular those who will be observing the issuance of postal ballots, followed by those who will be used for mobile voting and then Elections Day. The first postal ballots will be issued on Monday, 10 March 2025.
• Campaign Expenses: Candidates should review the guidance on campaign spending, which will be distributed on Nomination Day. The deadline to submit election expenses to the Supervisor of Elections is Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Nomination Locations: 

For further information, candidates can contact the Elections Office (office@elections.ky 244-5400 or 949-8047) or visit www.elections.ky. 

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Government, Politics & Public Administration , People, Communities & Living