Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Commissioner David Baines said on Radio Cayman’s “Talk Today” show last Thursday (4) “common sense” should rule the day.

Mr. Baines was speaking about sodas, finger sandwiches and chicken wings at Cayman Islands political rallies that would not land anyone on the wrong side of the law.

This is in contrast to the statements last week by Elections Office officials about ‘food-for-votes’ issues in the upcoming elections that implied it would not be legal for any catering at the political rallies.

The problem is the wording under the Elections Law (2009 Revision) regarding “treating”. The Law says it is an offence for “every person who corruptly….provides or pays, wholly or in part, the expenses of giving or providing any food, drink, entertainment or provision to or for any persons for the purpose of corruptly influencing that person, or any other person, to vote or refrain from voting at such election….and every elector who corruptly accepts or takes any such food, drink, entertainment or provision”.

However, the Commissioner said the election offence of “treating” is something both candidates and voters need to be aware of as it gets closer to the 22 May general election.

He gave the following example where food and drink was corruptly offered in order to influence the voting:

“In Hong Kong, a businessman held a buffet in support of a political candidate. He charged the people who attended $5 a head but they received an open bar and food in excess of $100. If that occurred here, that would be exactly the same. If someone goes into a licenced premises and puts $500 behind the bar and shouts out ‘drink as much as you want on me, remember me on voting day’ that’s treating.”

Thank you, Mr. Baines. That sensibly clarifies when food and drink is “treating” or “not treating”.

Having been to many elections here in the Cayman Islands, serving food and drink at political rallies has been a common event and at no time have I ever thought it as a means of influencing my vote.

This is the tropics and there should be some minor reward for attending otherwise we would all sit at home and watch it on television.

At last, common sense.