Today’s Editorial: An idea whose time has come

The good news is that the elections are over and the Cayman Islands is about to embark on a fresh start.

The greater news is that a portion of Cayman’s elections laws are about to come under review.

At issue are the exclusion zones surrounding each polling place.

By definition, exclusion means to keep or shut out. That leads to a notion of secrecy, which in itself leads to suspicion.

Elections Supervisor Kearney Gomez said last week that the elections laws concerning the exclusion zones are a bit archaic.

We agree, but would probably expand it to more than just a bit.

The exclusion keeps reporters, photographers and non-voters 300 feet away from the polling stations.

The rule not only applies to the media and non-voters, it also has sway on the voting public. Once voters have cast their ballots they are shooed from the polling place and told to leave the exclusion zone. No loitering; no chatting.

Mr. Gomez is correct in stating that the rule leads to suspicion because people cannot see what is going on. It’s a rule that goes against his department’s usual open-door policy.

While it is agreed that the candidates and their agents are at the polling stations to stop irregularities, the rule prevents people from seeing what’s going on.

When re-crafting the rule, elections officials must ensure that the voters’ privacy is maintained.

Voters must always be assured of their privacy and at the same time be brought more into the process.

For the first time in modern history Cayman Island voters in this election were allowed to place their marked ballots in the ballot box themselves.

The secrecy of their vote should always remain with them and not be revealed unless they choose to announce their decision(s).

Allowing the media closer to polling stations won’t interfere with the voters’ rights to secrecy; it may help enforce it.

The concept of transparency is often suggested in most government dealings, especially during an election year.

Re-examining and improving the exclusion zones are a start to ensuring fair and honest elections.