For the first time, candidates putting their names forward as nominees in April’s general election will be required to complete and submit a Standards in Public Life declaration.
The Commission for Standards in Public Life advised on Monday that candidates will have until Friday this week to submit their declarations, which include information on their income, assets and liabilities.
The Standards in Public Life Law and its associated regulations came into force last year. It was passed in 2014, and further amended in 2016, but was not enacted until March 2020.
The law outlines ethical standards for elected representatives. Members of Parliament who contravene the Standards in Public Life Law can be found in contempt, and the assembly can order the member’s suspension from sitting and voting in the House for a certain period determined by the members.
The law adopts the ‘Nolan Principles’ – the seven principles to be adhered to by individuals in public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
The section of the law requiring nominees to submit a declaration states, in part, “A person in public life — (a) shall, within ninety days of assuming the functions of his office, or, in the case of a candidate for election to the Legislative Assembly, before filing his nomination papers, make a declaration to the Commission of his income, assets and liabilities … in respect of the previous year…”.
If successful at the 14 April polls, MPs also will be required, during each year of their tenure as elected representatives, to file further declarations of their income, assets and liabilities.
In a statement, the commission said that all candidates seeking election for public office must submit a complete Standards in Public Life Schedule 1 Declaration Form before filing nomination papers on Monday, 1 March.
“To facilitate a smooth and expedient verification process the Commission is requesting submission by 10am, Friday, 26 February, 2021,” the statement said.
Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell told the Cayman Compass that returning officers will not refuse a nomination if a person had not completed the Standards in Public Life declaration on Nomination Day, but he added, “However, that person would be in breach of the SPL Act.”
According to information on the form, nominees who fail to submit a declaration, make a false declaration, or refuse to provide requested information without reasonable cause could find themselves liable to penalties ranging from $100 for each day in default to, on summary conviction, a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or to both.
The declaration form and further information can be found at www.standardsinpubliclifecommission.ky. The commission can also be reached at 244-3685.
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Seems like a few standards are missing. Besides personal financial standing we might want to add a standard that would more accurately indicate a person worthy of trust and respect…hmmm…. something like never having been found guilty of a criminal offence, that would be a good start.