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PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF THE CARICOM ELECTIONS OBSERVATION MISSION TO TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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PRESS STATEMENT:  Pursuant to the request made on the 31 January 2021 by the Office of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands for a CARICOM Elections Observation Mission (CEOM) to be deployed to observe and monitor the conduct of the General Elections scheduled to take place in the Turks and Caicos Islands on 19 February 2021, a three-member CEOM was deployed to observe the pre-, peri-, and immediately post-elections occurrences associated with its electoral processes.

Pre-Election Day Observations

Virtual meetings were held with a number of stakeholders to identify concerns for the general preparedness of the elections. In its preparation to observe activities on Election Day, the CEOM conducted a preliminary reconnaissance of the polling station locations in Providenciales, the island which had the majority of the polling station locations.

Election Day Observations

The members of the CEOM visited 25 out of 33 polling stations across the ten polling station locations, specifically all polling stations in Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos.

With regard to the opening of the polls, the members of the CEOM observed that the polls opened late, however, they closed later to ensure that the designated amount of time allotted to the voters to exercise their franchise was strictly adhered to.

With regard to voting, despite some variations in process across the polling stations visited, the process was relatively smooth and efficient. In general, the polling clerks explained the voting process in detail, and first-time voters were oriented appropriately.

There were no incidents of intimidation of voters inside or outside of the polling stations.

It was felt that more measures could have been taken to have poll workers prepared to handle elderly and differently- abled voters, particularly as these voters were encouraged to visit the polling stations to vote at a specific time on election day.

Special Conditions – The COVID-19 Pandemic

The CEOM highly commends the measures taken by the Elections Department of the Turks and Caicos Islands for implementing, in its view, extensive public health protocols which were well executed to ensure the safety of both voters and election day workers, with due consideration for the COVID-19 pandemic. Voters and election day workers observed the protocols which included social distancing, the wearing of masks and regular sanitisation of polling stations throughout the course of the day. Polling stations visited were spacious and well-ventilated at all times.

The efficiency of the vote was not greatly impeded by the COVID-19 health protocols implemented.

Conclusions

Overall, the CEOM is of the view that the General Elections which took place in the Turks and Caicos Islands on 19 February 2021 were free and fair and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands must be commended for this.

The peacefulness of the elections that transpired on 19 February 2021 reflected the tranquility of the society of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The CARICOM Elections Observation Mission values the opportunity to contribute to the democratic process in the Turks and Caicos Islands and appreciates the support and cooperation received throughout the process. We congratulate the voters, electoral officials and election day workers for their discipline and commitment to advance the democratic process in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Dr. Robert Stephen Mahadeo Surujbally

Chief of Mission

20 February 2021

CAPTIONHead of Mission Dr Robert Stephen Mahadeo Surujbally (2nd right) is joined by Mr Ian Hughes (right), H.E. Felix Gregoire (2nd left) and Ms Valique Gomes (CARICOM Secretariat support) for the start of Elections Day monitoring

Caribbean News

Millions to come from FSC 

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Revenue from the Turks and Caicos’ Financial Services Sector will more than double in the next few years, if E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister gets his way.  It ‘s one of the reasons the country is investing so much capital into getting off of the EU blacklist and becoming a secure trustworthy financial destination. 

“The FSC’s revenues for 2020/21 was $10.5M— the figures for 2021/22, would be about similar,” he said.  He further explained that $10.5 million from the FSC represented about 2.6 percent of the country’s 408.5-million-dollar revenue.  Though it increased to $14 million in the 2021/22 financial year, finance is still a small fry compared to tourism or even stamp duties but that will change, says Saunders. 

“My revenue goal for the Government by the year 2029 [or] the election after the next election – is $500M.  By that time, I want the financial sector (FSC) revenues to represent at least 5% ($25M).  So that’s my goal for the financial sector by 2029.” 

This goal, should it be met, would increase the Government’s revenue by 100 million dollars, a significant increase in spending power for local upgrades and improvements for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors. 

Saunders says it’s time for the TCI to diversify its sources of revenue to make sure that what happened in the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw residents out of a job for months, will not happen again.  Tourism now makes up around 80 percent of the country’s GDP.  The Minister of Finance wants to push that down to 60 or even 50 percent.  

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Caribbean News

Debrief on Haiti Caribbean heads visit 

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#Haiti, March 17, 2023 – When a CARICOM delegation visited Haiti earlier this month, conspicuously absent was the Turks and Caicos Islands despite being one of the nations most directly affected by the multi-dimensional crisis there.  There is no comment, as yet from the Premier, to say why this was the case.  

Still, from the expedition, CARICOM heads of Government have informed that there will be lobbying in Africa for assistance in Haiti.  They say they have decided that the best course of action for the Caribbean country is to bolster the Haitian National Police and act as intermediaries with Africa and the world.  The decision follows a one day visit on February 27th, and a March 5th meeting chaired by the Bahamas. 

CARICOM says during the trip delegates ‘met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the way forward to a Haitian-led solution’. With that in mind it has made a decision on how to proceed.

“The Heads of Government agreed to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to address the security situation.  The focus of the Community will be the provision of training for the HNP and the provision of humanitarian assistance to HNP and the wider Haitian society, taking into account the challenging humanitarian and security situation”

It’s not clear yet where and how this training will take place.  Also distinctly absent from the report, no more mention of boots on the ground from other countries despite CARICOM Member States indicating they were ready and willing should it come to that.

In addition, recognizing ‘the common historical experiences and the strong African-Caribbean relationship’ CARICOM says,

“Heads of Government also agreed to seek support from African countries for Haiti.  They also agreed to work with the Governments of Canada and the United States as well as the UNDP”

Magnetic Media has reached out to the Premier’s Office to get a full debrief of the February 27th visit (led by Jamaica; including The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago) to learn of Turks and Caicos’ posture following the critical sessions.  

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Caribbean News

New ASHLEY’S LEARNING CENTRE CONCERT

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center.

A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder.  From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships. 

A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’.  The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm

Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP  $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS. 

For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email  EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG 

 

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