FUNCTIONS/WHAT WE DO
About us
The Turks and Caicos Islands, Elections Department under the Turks and Caicos Islands, Constitution has an obligation to promote good governance throughout the entire electoral process. The Elections Department is an arm of good governance here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, that falls under the remit of the Governor’s Office. It is our responsibility to ensure elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands operate in a fair and impartial manner to ensure the voting population of these Islands, is equipped with the knowledge and all the information required about elections and voting.
Our Authority
The authority of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Elections Department is vested in the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution by way of Statutory Instrument 2011 No. 1681 (U.K.) and came into force on 15th October 2012 by (L.N. 42/2012). The Constitution sets out the Governor’s role and functions in the Electoral Process, such as the Electoral District Boundary Commission, The Prorogation, Dissolution and Elections, while establishing the Elections Department as a good governance institution. The Constitution sets out the role and functions of the Supervisor of Elections and provides the criteria for qualification and disqualification of voters.
The Turks and Caicos Island, Elections Ordinance Chapter 1.05 in conjunction with the Constitution governs the electoral process but is not limited to, the Electoral Districts, the Appointment of Officers, Registration, Claims and Objections, Publication of the Electoral Register and Arrangements for Elections.
Challenge:
Election Turks and Caicos will balance how best to serve its stakeholders, protect the integrity of the electoral process and use public resources effectively and efficiently. These are external factors that impact on Turks and Caicos elections to fulfil its mandate and meet the needs of its stakeholders.
Geographic Diversity:
Due to the geographic location of the inhabited Islands here in the Turks and Caicos Islands which encompasses North and Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay. It is a challenging task to deliver electoral uniformity across the Islands. Voters in these Islands are entitled to the same level of service as voters resident on the Islands of Grand Turk and Providenciales. We pledge to continue to strive and deliver electoral excellence by maintaining consistency in our service to meet the needs of voters regardless of the Island they live.
Demographic Trends/Demands
According to the projections of the Turks and Caicos Islands government for the population, The predictions indicate that the population in Grand Turk and Providenciales will continue to increase over the years to come. Due to the growth of the population, the Elections Department is fully aware of the needs of older voters, and voters with special needs. Although the voter population is geographically spread across various islands, it is our obligation to provide access to meet the needs of voters resident on these Islands.
The Elections Department, have an obligation to inform young electors, who are a part of the electoral communities, who may not be unaware of how to exercise their democratic right to vote in a general election here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We will continue to provide these electors with information about the Turks and Caicos Islands electoral process, the right to vote and how to be a Candidate in the general elections.
Technology
Due to the rapid change in technology daily, Electors, Candidates, Political Parties, Supervisors of Elections and staff must keep abreast of the rapid technical advances in electoral technology. The Elections Department will adapt to new technology. We aim to introduce voting machines, although, there might be constraints due to cost or Legislative requirements and or limited infrastructure in some Islands, we will strive to incorporate new technologies into our service delivery.
Event Infrastructure:
Voter turnout for elections 2012 compare to 2021 increased significantly however, it is difficult to recruit and train persons who are needed to serve as election and polling day workers for the various constituencies. Election TCI will devise new recruitment and training strategies for the administration of elections.
Election Turks and Caicos recognizes the need to have accessible and convenient voting locations and also recognize the problem and complaints from electors on polling day of having to remain in queue for hours and this competing demand imposes significant challenge which will be address.
Election Turks and Caicos will maintain a constant state of readiness to administer elections. To meet this obligation, planning and preparation will begin well in advance. We will also be mindful of the timing of the appointment of Returning Officers, and Legislative changes may impact our readiness and degree of preparation.
Strategic Priorities
Elections are a unique business posing many challenges, but it is demonstrated that we have the flexibility to meet any challenge.
Consistent with our vision and values the strategic priorities currently identified to fulfil our mission are:
· Maintaining a Register of Electors (ROE).
The preparation and maintenance of the Register of Electors is a very important component of the elections process, it is a database from which the voters list is created. Recommended Legislative amendments will equip Elections Turks and Caicos with a wider range of methods for maintaining (ROE) and this will afford electors the opportunity to take an active role in verifying and confirming their elector information.
Elections Turks and Caicos will continue to provide information to electors explaining how they can be active partners in the electoral process and their involvement will allow us to improve the information held in the (ROE) and will permit us to better respond to stakeholders.
· Expending our Public Education
Recommended Legislative amendments will broaden Election Turks and Caicos Public Education mandate. We will continue to build on our successes in an effort to make the electoral process more accessible for communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands. We will work with schools to provide information to students (who are new electors or who are about to become electors) about Turks and Caicos Electoral process, the right to vote and how to register to vote. We will continue implementing public education and information programs to make Turks and Caicos Electoral process better known to the public, particular to those persons and groups most likely to experience difficulties in exercising their democratic rights.
We are committed to reaching all Turks and Caicos Islanders with information they need about the electoral process, the right to vote and how to be a Candidate.
· Managing our business
Modern management practices continue to guide us in everything we do and measures will be enhanced in order to allow us to monitor our progress in all areas. We embrace quality management, project and risk management best practices. In looking ahead, we will have resources dedicated to ensuring that our administrative processes are reliable and effective.
Elections Turks and Caicos are committed to further identifying opportunities to implement modern election practices.
· Protecting the Integrity of the Electoral Process
Elections Turks and Caicos will continue to work in corporation with the participants in the electoral process to assist them in meeting their statutory obligations. In meeting our responsibilities, we will increase public awareness and confidence in how we fulfil our managerial election obligations under the election’s ordinance.
We are committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process by effectively ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity that will always be applied fairly and consistently in the democratic process of elections.