DEFINITIVE preparations are finally underway to get the TCI ready for elections slated for next fall.
From drafting new corruption-busting laws to defining 10 constituencies in place of the present 15, the wheels are now in motion to facilitate the critical return to self-rule.
For many islanders, it spells an imminent end to a ceaseless waiting game for Britain to release its grip on the stricken territory.
Consultations between UK delegates and TCI business, political and community leaders on a new Elections Ordinance began this week.
The aim is to stifle capacity for vote-rigging and malfeasance said to have plagued previous ballots.
A four-strong team – from London’s Westminster Forum for Democracy (WFD) – has been tasked with identifying strengths and weaknesses in the current electoral system.
With input from local leaders, they will then help establish proper codes of conduct during campaigns.
This week the Governor’s office outlined four separate processes to be achieved before a voting date can be set.
In addition to the new ordinance defining standards expected from politicians, outdated procedures in the current Elections Ordinance will be brought in line with internationally recognised practices.
A new Boundary Commission will be put in place to prescribe the 10 constituencies and the Electoral Register will be updated too, following the completion of next year’s census.
Philip Rushbrook, director of the Governor’s office, said elections could take place within 30 days of the new constitution coming into force.
But he warned meticulous preparations were needed first, which are unlikely to be completed before next September.
“The census scheduled for February 2012 has a direct bearing on when the new election boundaries and Electoral Register of voters can be prepared,” he said.
“Both of these activities will benefit from access to the most up to date information on population distribution and it is now known the initial census data will be available in April 2012.”
Mr Rushbrook said setting up the Boundary Commission and finalising the list of eligible voters should take no more than a few weeks thereafter. The Commission will consist of three members appointed by the Governor.
The revised Electoral Register will also help oust past problems of some islanders voting in two separate districts.
Mr Rushbrook said clearer definitions of voting districts for each person – particularly where someone has family ties on one island but lives and works on another – would discontinue that practice.
A small group of government and Governor’s office officials, plus Attorney General chambers staff, has been enlisted to kickstart the work ahead.
Additional members from the community will be added to help out as things progress.
Consultations on the changes ahead will be sought from the public via town hall meetings and other methods similar to those used to revise the constitution.
This week’s trip by the WFD team will be followed by a further visit in November featuring confidential and public meetings with various individuals and groups.
WFD is an independent body, funded by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which strives for sustainable political change in emerging democracies.
The four delegates who jetted into the TCI this week included Shadow FCO Minister John Spellar, and Paul Speller, head of the Liberal Democrats’ international office and a former Deputy Governor of Gibraltar. They were joined by George Edward Cockram and David Thirlby.
The team’s work in the TCI is being fully funded by the UK.
-TC WEEKLY NEWS
