This press release is sent on behalf of Team Leader Norman Bodden. Identification for attached photo is as follows.Local observers meet to plan their report on Wednesday’s election: (from left) Tom Hines, Norman Bodden, John Macmillan, Pastor Alson Ebanks, Adrian Estwick, Carol Winker, Georgette Myrie and Gilbert Connolly.

Local election observers met with their team leader, Norman Bodden, on Friday to submit completed checklists for the polling stations they visited on Election Day.

They also made preliminary plans for a report of their findings to be presented to Supervisor of Elections  Kearney Gomez, who appointed them earlier this month.

All observers adopted Mr. Bodden’s preliminary remarks. “We have once again witnessed democracy at work, when a free and fair election was held in these Cayman Islands. I was impressed by the high level of organization at the six polling divisions we were observers at, as well as the conduct of the voters themselves. Their interest and desire to cast their vote was evident,” he said.

“The poll workers, field officers, logistics and police all appeared briefed on their individual roles . Everything was organized in a fashion I would describe as voter-friendly,” he continued. “The peace and calm that permeated at every station we were in, without any form of exaggeration, reminded me of a church service. Law and order was maintained to the highest level.”

Adrian Estwick, who visited polling stations in Bodden Town and North Side, added, “The voters I observed approached their task with pride and dignity.”

Tom Hines, who attended polling stations in George Town and West Bay, commented, “In this age of apathy it was inspiring to see so many people wanting to exercise their democratic right to vote.” He congratulated the deputy returning officers at each polling division he saw for their professional  management and ability to think on their feet. “The very few questionable situations I observed, they dealt with quickly,” he said.

John Macmillan, who travelled part of the day with Mr. Hines, said there were some polling stations with physical environments that presented challenges. He agreed with Georgette Myrie, who said she admired the election workers for coping with those challenges, especially when their day began before 5.30am and did not end until they handed over ballot boxes to the returning officers after 6pm.

Observers were asked to note specific aspects of the election, including the opening of the polls, the processing of voters throughout the day, the closing of the polls, the custody of ballot boxes and the count.

Mrs. Myrie said she was impressed by the administration of the whole procedure, from the delivery of the ballot boxes to the polling stations and the security employed in transporting them.

Pastor Alson Ebanks, although a voter in several elections, said his experience as an observer made him more aware of the sheer amount of work that goes on to prepare for  Election Day in terms of training and logistics.

He shared his impression that voters were encouraged by seeing local observers observing the election process, especially in the context of anything said about the  perception of impropriety.

Gilbert Connolly, who attended polling stations in Bodden Town and East End, said the appointment of local observers had been a good idea. “The integrity of the election process is better preserved by having local observers,” he said.

His observations of the process led him to conclude that  it was carried out in a smooth and orderly manner, with no major incidents at any of the stations he visited.

Mr. Bodden, as chairman, kept in touch throughout the day with the local observers in Cayman Brac. He said Edgar Bodden and Joel Scott Sr. reported no incidents and events of the day went along the same lines as in Grand Cayman.

He remarked on the diligence of the returning officers and their deputies who were responsible for counting the ballots and the manner in which they displayed any ballots with questionable markings for inspection by candidates or agents present.

With no major incidents anywhere to comment on but with some recommendations for fine tuning that could be done, the team of local observers plan to pass on their report within the next two weeks.