International Experts to Conduct a Virtual Assessment of Cayman Islands General Election
At the invitation of the Governor of the Cayman Islands Martyn Roper OBE, an independent team of international experts will conduct a virtual Election Expert Mission to the Cayman Islands General Election from 6 – 20 April 2021.
The Mission will assess Cayman Islands’ General Election against international standards, commitments and obligations as well as domestic laws. It is organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR). CPA BIMR first conducted an election observation mission to the Cayman Islands in 2013, followed by the elections in 2017, which resulted in the publication of two respective reports; a 2013 report with 14 recommendations and the 2017 report with 21 recommendations. As part of its forthcoming Mission, CPA BIMR will also consider whether these recommendations were taken forward.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team of experts will conduct the Mission virtually, using online research as well as interviews with a wide range of stakeholders utilising digital meeting platforms. This innovative adaptation of election observation methodology in these unprecedented circumstances has been applied successfully by CPA BIMR when assessing general elections in Anguilla and Guernsey in 2020 and TCI in 2021.
Ahead of election day, the experts will virtually meet key stakeholders including electoral officials, candidates, voters and civil society groups to gain a better understanding of the electoral process and political context of the election.