SEPTEMBER TARGET FOR BERMUDA ELECTORAL REFORM LEGISLATION

The Bermuda government is still hoping to table legislation on major electoral reforms by September this year. A government-appointed independent working group has been reviewing the government’s plans and is expected to advise on its findings in the coming weeks.

The reassurance comes in the wake of changes to the group’s membership and the minister to whom it was assigned when it was established last month.

Now charged with guiding the process through to its legislative stage is Rev. Emily Dill, the new Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Ministerial responsibility was previously held by Dr Diallo Rabain, the former minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Education and Planning in a recent Cabinet reshuffle.

Also, the original 11-person working group of cross-party representatives has been reduced by one due to time constraints cited by the ex-member.

New Cabinet Office Minister Rev. Dill has given an assurance of her full commitment to see the process through to presentation to the Bermuda Parliament.

The cross-party group comprises representatives from the ruling Progressive Labour Party(PLP), the One Bermuda Alliance(OBA), the Free Democratic Movement(FDM), and an independent candidate.

The issue of electoral reform ranks highly on the policy agenda of the PLP administration of Premier David Burt, now in his third term.

The current push for reform focuses heavily on absentee voting for eligible Bermudian students studying overseas. It also focuses on  setting clear standards for political parties and campaign financing, modernising the electoral system with the use of technology, ensuring the voters’ register remains accurate, private, and transparent, and setting consistent and fair rules for polling day administration. Another key element involves extensive public consultations throughout the territory.

According to the Bermuda government, “Electoral reform is about strengthening public confidence in Bermuda’s democracy. It is about improving access to voting, ensuring elections continue to be conducted fairly and consistently, bringing greater transparency to campaign and election finance, and ensuring that the institutions responsible for our elections are equipped for the future.”