Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Turks and Caicos, April 11, 2025 – Turks and Caicos General Election observers have recommended that all the spoiled ballots from the February 7, 2025, vote be subject to special scrutiny due to the significant number of voters who were confused by the new process.

“We believe that an audit should be done to record what percentage of the ballots were spoilt and had to be redone. Whereas CAFFE did not observe any voter not being able to complete a successful vote, the incidence of re-dos needs to be analysed,” informed the April 4, 2025 report from CAFFE.

Electronic Tabulating Machines were introduced in the recent general election.  CAFFE reports that they noted the use of one ballot paper to capture the two categories of candidates proved problematic for senior citizens.

“Previously the district candidates and all island candidates appeared on separate ballots. Now both were being accommodated on a single ballot. It was pointed out that this could be especially problematic and confusing for older voters. This issue of the potential ballot confusion was borne out as noted in several locations and especially so in South Caicos, where there was a significantly high percentage of the 303 electors that voted who were elderly. Our observer estimated there were 20 – 30% spoilt ballots by this demographic.”

The CAFFE Report said those voters were permitted to vote again.

“They were allowed as per required, a second chance and sometimes with assistance to redo, and the ballots were accepted. It was noted that younger persons across all locations had an easier time with the new ballots. The spoilt and redo ballot scenario was observed in several other locations, with the marking of the ballots incorrectly being the reason. No instances of a voter’s ballot being rejected after a second attempt was observed.”

The issue of one ballot paper and the potential confusion it created is the thrust of an Election Petition filed by the leadership of the People’s Democratic Movement, PDM.  The Supreme Court has ruled that there is a case to answer by the Attorney General and the trial begins May 12.

Unconnected to the legal proceeding, CAFFE articulated that the possible confusion was among the issues raised ahead of voting day, where they noted suspicion was also cast on the voting machines and the likelihood of ballot tampering.

“We noted in meetings with stakeholders that there was a concern, regarding not so much the operation or efficacy of the machines, but the new ballots being introduced. There were several instances observed of machines having a paper jam, which had to be cleared and which created a delay in the voting process.”

From the observers, there was satisfaction that paper jams of the DS200s were immediately cleared, that the process of casting ballots did not appear to favour any party or person and commendation that voting was orderly and peaceful.

What may have been less successful was education of older people on how to vote.

“CAFFE raised the issue of the information campaign regarding the new ballot and processes being heavily social media driven, and may not have fully considered the non-digital demographic. Though pamphlets were available, it is questionable how well distributed they were. It would also have been helpful to have had better images of the format of the ballot on the pamphlets.”

Younger people were in and out of the polling places in no time, offered the report.  Seniors on the other hand, made errors and had to vote again.  This not only raised red flags about the comprehension of the process but the confidentiality of it.

“Whereas the polling booth design of multiple booths separated by a screen all together as part of one foldable free-standing unit is efficient and presumably cost effective, it did present the problem of questionable privacy. The units did not easily accommodate two persons if one needed assistance, especially if they had to speak, as someone on the other side of the screen would be able to clearly hear, and based on positioning, in some instances look over. Presumably there has been considerable investment in acquiring these units, so maybe an option of designing an extension to raise the screen and or limiting the number of voters at a time could be explored.”

This became a glaring issue when the ballot was spoiled or rejected by the tabulating machine.

“…if a ballot was spoilt/rejected by the DS200, the voter was sent back to the clerk to be issued with a new one. In many cases the clerk would have to look at the spoilt ballot to determine what the problem was and instruct the voter accordingly. The ballot was also laid flat to be placed in the rejected ballot envelope. So even momentarily, the secrecy of the ballot could be compromised.”

The CAFFE election observers have also recommended that the Turks and Caicos find an agreeable path to increasing the number of electors; baiting with the prognosis that a more robust democracy would be the win for the British overseas territory.

“The number of registered voters actually voting increased from 6,460 to 6,755. Based on the comparison of the 2021 and 2025 turnouts this however indicates an overall 3.3% decline in registered voter turnout.

As has been pointed out in a previous election observer exercise*, while the voter turnout at over 70% of the registered electors is reasonable, the territory’s population of eligible age is estimated at well over 40,000, which means that the 9,385 enfranchised electors represent less than one-half of the possible eligible adult population.

While the Turks and Caicos Islands may present a special case, the continuation of this situation, in which an increasingly large part of the population is effectively disenfranchised has its own risks for the maintenance of a stable democracy over the medium to long term.

Dialogue with the aim of addressing this situation – even in a gradual way should be seen as a compelling necessity.”

On the ground in the Turks and Caicos Islands for CAFEE were:  Robin Baston; Danielle Dunbar; Everard Owen and Anton Thompson (Team Leader).

Guyana, April 11, 2025 – The government is engaging major tech giants to transform the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) into a centre for research, artificial intelligence (AI) development and technological advancement.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a community meeting in Canal No 2 Polder on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) in Region Three, on Sunday.

IAST is a science and technology organisation located on the University of Guyana’s (UG) Turkeyen campus.

President Ali said the initiative will attract global startups to build and test the next generation of technology locally, driven by private sector investment and government support.

NASA Innovation Forum

President Ali also revealed that in mid-January 2026, Guyana will host the Berkeley-Guyana NASA Innovation Forum for the very first time.

The Berkeley Innovation Forum is a membership organisation led by Dr Henry Chesbrough, Faculty Director of the Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley.

The forum provides its members with an ongoing perspective on the innovation challenges confronting companies around the world. It gathers members together to share experiences in tackling these challenges.

Last Thursday, the Guyanese head of state participated in the Spring 2025 Berkeley Innovation Forum in California, United States, where he was featured as a guest speaker. During that forum, he was honoured with the prestigious Global Leadership Award for Open Innovation 2025. This accolade recognises his leadership in promoting environmental sustainability and inclusive economic development on a global scale.

By: Hayley Reid

Cayman, April 11, 2025 – The Elections Office issued 121 ballots yesterday for the upcoming General Election and Referendum.  This includes ballots distributed in Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman and Cayman Brac East.

Of the ballots issued, 82 postal ballots have been dispatched overseas via DHL, ensuring that Caymanians abroad have the opportunity to participate in this important electoral process. The remaining ballots are designated for local deliveries to individuals within the Cayman Islands who will be off-island on General Election and Referendum Day.

Expressing gratitude for the efforts behind this process, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell stated, “I extend a huge thank you to all the designers and print technicians who worked long hours to produce the 19 sets of ballot papers, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service who secured the production process, the Elections Office staff who completed the logistical work, and the Returning Officers who issued the ballots.”

The process of issuing ballots was observed by a combination of candidates and designated agents, ensuring transparency and integrity in the election process.

Eligible voters who require a postal ballot or wish to do mobile voting are reminded that the deadline to apply is Thursday, 17 April 2025. However, individuals are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure timely processing and delivery.

For more information on postal ballots or other election-related enquiries, please visit elections.ky or contact the Elections Office directly.

Photo Caption (L-R): DHL Station Manager Christian Joseph, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell, Elections Office Manager Gina Whittaker, and DHL Courier Keneil Hillock.