The government announced this week that a voter registration drive is planned for December through February 2008. In addition, residents will see the public launch of a much-anticipated discussion paper in early January, marking the start of phase two of the Constitutional Modernization Initiative (CMI).

"It has been a long road, and while some in the community have been anxious for the programme to speed up, the Constitutional Review Secretariat (CRS) felt it was important for us to release the government's constitutional proposals in a condensed holistic manner, not piecemeal," explained CRS Director Suzanne Bothwell.

"Many major constitutional issues had to be considered," she added. "This involved not simply writing down suggestions, but actually assessing each one for its feasibility, viability, and prospects for success."

The public discussion document, containing suggestions for constitutional changes, was entitled 'The Cayman Islands' Constitution: A Reflection of Who We Are', and was formally launched on Saturday, 12 January.

Other issues high on the CRS agenda are preparations for a series of public meetings beginning in January, as well as the passage of a referendum bill and amendments to the Elections Law in the Legislative Assembly in February 2008, all of which will prepare Cayman for its first referendum.

"The drafting of a referendum law, and amendments to the Elections Law, will be necessary in order to accommodate extended voter registration, and the holding of a referendum in the Cayman Islands," Ms Bothwell noted.