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What Happens After Election Day

The General Election marks a key milestone in the democratic process. Several constitutional steps follow before a new government is formally established.

This page explains the official process leading to the formation and swearing-in of the new government.

After Election Day, and before the newly elected government can be sworn in, several important events must take place including:

Certification of Election Results

Once polls close, the Elections Office verifies and certifies the results to ensure accuracy and transparency. After this official count, results are announced via the Elections Office and government channels.

Return of Writs Election

After the certification of results, the Supervisor of Elections returns the Writs of Election to the Governor. This official return confirms each successful candidate as a duly elected Member of Parliament (MP), fulfilling the requirements under Section 84 of the Constitution. The return of the writs allows the Governor to formally recognise the elected Members and proceed to the next steps in establishing Parliament.

Proclamation of the First Sitting of Parliament

The Governor issues a Proclamation under Section 83(1) of the Constitution, setting the date, time, and location for the first meeting of the new Parliament. This Proclamation is publicly announced and marks the next step toward forming a new government.

First Sitting of Parliament

At the first sitting of Parliament:

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by the Members of Parliament, as required under Section 65.
All Members take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath for the Due Execution of Office, in accordance with Section 60 of the Constitution.

These oaths are legally required before any Member may participate in parliamentary proceedings.

Appointment of the Premier

At the first sitting, Members elect the Premier by majority vote. The Premier is then appointed by the Governor under Section 49 of the Constitution, from among the elected Members who appear to command the support of the majority of elected Members.

Appointment of Cabinet Ministers

Once appointed, the Premier advises the Governor on the appointment of Ministers, in line with Section 54 of the Constitution. Each Minister must take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath for the Due Execution of Office under Section 60 before assuming their responsibilities as Cabinet Ministers.

Formal Swearing-In Ceremony

In addition to the required oaths of office, a public Swearing-In Ceremony is held to formally introduce the Premier and Cabinet Ministers as the new Government.

At this ceremonial event:

The Premier and Ministers publicly affirm their oaths of office.
The new Government formally assumes its constitutional duties in the presence of the public and invited guests.

Details of the 2025 Swearing-In Ceremony

Date: Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m.

Members of the public are welcome to watch live via:

CIGTV Cable Channel
- C3 - Channel 3, Flow - Channel 106, Logic - Channel 20
CIG YouTube
Radio Cayman

Post-event coverage, including potographs, video highlights, and speeches, will be made available following the ceremony.

Why This Process Matters

These constitutional steps ensure:

Continuity and stability of government operations
A peaceful and orderly transition of authority
Public confidence in the integrity of elections and leadership
Protection of stability in the democratic process

The Cayman Islands Government remains committed to transparency, integrity, and upholding constitutional principles throughout the transition. Follow official channels for updates.

News

This section covers key milestones from the announcement of results to the formation of the new administration and the swearing-in of elected leaders. Stay informed with accurate and timely information as the country moves into a new term of governance.