The telltale signs of the start of the 2025 election season are already upon us.
The hum of prospective MPs on the campaign trail is unmistakable; the sight of a growing number of political billboards springing up across the islands’ thoroughfares unavoidable.
The race for the top job is also already under way, with parties led by Joey Hew, André Ebanks and Dan Scott marking a departure from the changing patchwork coalitions of independents that have characterised the last four years.
But the starting gun is only properly fired when a political candidate is formally nominated.
Any aspiring MP – incumbent or challenger – must file their nomination forms today to the returning officer in the relevant electoral district between 8am and 3pm.
It is a day for which the rival groups have been preparing – in some cases, for years. Candidates have been recruited, reviewed and revealed in a series of press releases and social media announcements. But the complete line-ups and the identities of who is running in what district won’t be fully known until the 3pm cut-off point today.
Vote Cayman 2025
There are likely to be a handful of last-minute surprises with senior figures in all three groups working down to the wire to get candidates in their colours. Outside of those parties – expected to collectively account for somewhere between 30 and 40 of those seeking office – eyes will be on which independents decide to run.
Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell said his staff were ready for the big day.
“Our team has worked diligently to organise and deliver a smooth, transparent, and fair candidate nomination process,” he said.
As the would-be politicians take to the starting blocks, familiar issues look set to characterise the campaign cycle.
In an interview with the Compass earlier this year, André Ebanks highlighted cost of living, population and immigration, planning and development, and education among the principal areas of concern.
Scott listed immigration reform, access to better-paying jobs for Caymanians, border security, and government accountability and efficiency among his key policy goals.
And Hew said the PPM’s message to voters would focus on the ability to deliver, with addressing cost of living – from housing to health insurance – the party’s top priority alongside improving education and addressing crime.
‘Appetite for structure and stability’
Compass political correspondent Tammi Sulliman expects this to be a very different election to the last.
She said the ‘great, independent experiment’ had not delivered the political stability that voters were craving.
“The outcome of the past four years, in particular, has fuelled a growing appetite for structure and stability,” she said.
“This shift marks a significant turning point in Cayman’s political evolution. Voters, frustrated by shifting alliances and backroom negotiations that have shaped successive administrations, may now seek more defined political choices. The emergence of these parties signals a return to structured policymaking, party discipline, and collective responsibility – elements many believe are necessary to tackle Cayman’s most pressing issues.”
In that context, she expects the 2025 race to be about which group can persuade voters that they are best placed to get things done.
“This election is not just about ideology – it is about results,” she said.
While most of the players have already been revealed, Sulliman believes there could be some last-minute surprises on nomination day and politicos will also be keeping a wary eye on how independent candidates might impact things, particularly in smaller constituencies.
“With the emergence of new political parties and independent candidates still in the mix, we could see multiple challengers with similar platforms and longstanding community ties splitting the vote, ultimately weakening the collective impact and paving the way for victories by candidates who may not have the widest base of support but benefit from the split vote.”
While the single-member-constituency voting format makes the general election an agglomeration of 19 mini local elections, Sulliman believes voters are looking for candidates with a national outlook.
“By 3pm on nomination day, the political landscape will come into sharper focus as the final list of candidates is confirmed. While the full picture will take time to unfold, one thing is clear – those stepping forward to contest the 2025 general election must not only convince their constituents of their worth but also make a compelling case for how their leadership will benefit the country as a whole.”
Who can run for office?
If you’re mulling a foray into politics, there are some limitations to note before you head to your district’s nomination centre.
These include the requirement that candidates must be nominated by at least two registered voters in the district they are contesting.
To run for office, a deposit of $1,000 is also required. This is refundable, as long as the candidate receives at least 10% of the total votes cast in the district on election day.
Prospective candidates must be born Caymanian – or born outside Cayman under certain circumstances – and over the age of 21.
If the aspiring MP was born abroad, they must have lived in Cayman for 15 of the past 20 years and have at least one Caymanian-born grandparent. Candidates must have resided in Cayman for at least seven years prior to nomination day.
In 2013, former minister Tara Rivers’ eligibility to stand for elected office was challenged in court, amid questions over whether she met qualifications in the Constitution and the Elections Law.
She was subsequently cleared of the challenge over her eligibility, which disputed her right to hold a US passport and her failure to fulfil the mandated seven-year local residence requirement prior to her nomination.
Would-be legislators are also required to submit a ‘Register of Interests Declaration’ to the Standards in Public Life Commission before today. This includes information on their income, assets and liabilities.
Penalties and disqualifications
The risk of a $5,000 fine hangs over political hopefuls who are nominated but unqualified.
There are also fines for the nominators, including for if they aren’t registered electors in that district. The offence incurs a $2,000 fine.
Criteria that might disqualify political hopefuls include serving or having served a prison sentence of more than 12 months, being officially involved in the election process, having a personal bankruptcy that hasn’t been discharged, or having been convicted anywhere of an offence of “dishonesty”, among others.
