Elections Office Publishes 2025 Candidate Returns

The Elections Office has published a summary of candidates’ expense returns for the 2025 General Election on its website.

Fifty-eight (58) candidates contested seats in 19 electoral districts across the Cayman Islands during the 2025 General Election. Following Nomination Day on 3 March 2025, candidates had 58 days of formal campaigning ahead of the 30 April poll. All but five (5) candidates have submitted expense returns.

For the reporting period from 3 March to 30 April 2025, returns submitted by candidates and political parties detail expenditures totalling CI$1,939,957.41 and third-party revenues of CI$923,107.58.

Declarations of third-party revenue, including monetary contributions and contributions of goods and services, averaged CI$17,881.47, ranging from CI$0 to a maximum of CI$40,665. The latter figure represents the total revenue across the 12 members of the People’s Progressive Party.

Expenditures per candidate during the reporting period averaged CI$23,898.85, with individual spending ranging from a low of CI$390.00 to a high of CI$58,312.59. The highest average spending is attributed to the 12 members of the People’s Progressive Party.

Submissions concerning the political party that exceeded the campaign finance expenditure limits are currently being prepared for referral to the appropriate authorities, in accordance with Section 67(5) of the Elections Act (2022 Revision).

Thanking the 2025 candidates and parties for submitting their returns, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell noted that current legislation contains no penalties for the non-submission of returns by candidates who are not sitting Members of Parliament. “Nonetheless, I urge the remaining five 2025 candidates who have not yet submitted campaign finance returns to file their returns of revenue and expenditure as soon as possible,” Mr Howell said.

He added that he looks forward to the support of Cabinet and Members of Parliament in advancing the modernisation of elections legislation, particularly in relation to campaign finance limits and reporting standards.

In keeping with Section 69(3) of the Elections Act, the 2025 candidate expense returns are available for inspection at the Elections Office, Bay Town Office Suites, 68 West Bay Road in George Town, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

The 2025 Returns can be viewed here:
https://portal.elections.ky/files/downloads/2025/2025-Candidate-Campaign-Finance-Expense-Returns-Summary-13Jun2025.pdf