Acting Premier Hon. Andre Ebanks presented a motion regarding a Draft Order by Her Excellency the Governor giving effect to the Recommendations from the 2023 Electoral Boundary Commission (EBC) Report today, Friday 26 July, during the day’s parliamentary proceedings. The EBC Report was the result of a constitutional obligation that requires for the Governor to appoint a Commission that will review and propose changes to the Cayman Islands’ electoral districts boundaries every 8 years.

The 2023 Electoral Boundary Commission was appointed on 4 January 2023 and comprised of The Commission’s task, as outlined in Section 89 (1) of the Cayman Islands Constitution, to review electoral district boundaries and recommend necessary adjustments. Their report was submitted to the Governor and Parliament on August 4, 2023.

The motion proposed to implement a Draft Order from Her Excellency the Governor, giving effect to the EBC’s recommendations. These include adjustments to the electoral district boundaries, except for North Side and East End, and renaming the nineteen electoral districts. The report also offers an alternative recommendation for twenty electoral districts. The Office of the Premier is duty-bound by Section 89 (3) to lay the report before Parliament, and the Draft Order from the Governor for the House to either approve or reject.

 In presenting the motion, the Acting Premier presented four factors concerning the Report before his colleagues – Engagement Efforts and Methods; Voter Awareness and Understanding; Practical Implications, particularly near to a General Election; and Preference for a Terms of Reference.

The 2023 Electoral Boundary Commission held public hearings, in-person and virtually, appeared on a number of media channels, and consulted key government departments and agencies. However, the turnout at these events was minimal, raising concerns about public awareness and endorsement of the proposed changes.

In his presentation, Acting Premier Ebanks shared the present challenge the public service faces in gaining the community’s attention and engagement. “It requires much more creative, robust and targeted approaches to be taken to yield the public’s attention and awareness now than in years gone by”, he said.

Acting Premier Ebanks also highlighted practical concerns with implementing the recommendations less than 12 months before the next general election. He also emphasized the need for stable electoral regulations and referenced the Venice Commission’s Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters, which advises against electoral law amendments within a year of an election.

The Acting Premier noted that the 2015 EBC was given specific terms of reference to operate within, i.e. to draw nineteen single member electoral districts, whereas the 2023 Commission was not. He stressed the importance of allowing adequate time for public education and awareness ahead of implementing any new boundary recommendations to ensure adequate public endorsement or understanding and not risk public dissatisfaction or confusion.

The motion was wholly rejected by the Parliament. 

To learn more on the Fourth Meeting of the 2023-2024 Session of Parliament, visit gov.ky.