PLP & OBA On Contract Declaration Timing

[Updated] The PLP has claimed that some OBA candidates who have an interest in government contracts did not submit their declarations on time, while the OBA said that “contrary to the party’s assertion, the One Bermuda Alliance did file its declarations on time.”

PLP Statement

A PLP spokesperson said, “The Progressive Labour Party [PLP] takes seriously our commitment to the rule of law. That is why, as required by Section 30[6] of the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968, our candidates who have an interest in government contracts submitted their declarations on time—by the legally mandated deadline of Friday, February 7, 2025.

“It is deeply concerning that the One Bermuda Alliance [OBA], a party that often claims the moral high ground on issues of governance, has blatantly failed to meet this fundamental requirement. The OBA’s declarations only appeared in the newspaper today, February 11—four days after the deadline.

The PLP statement said that this means that three of their candidates “may now be disqualified from contesting the upcoming General Election.”

“The law is clear: candidates must declare their interests in government contracts within seven days of nomination. The OBA’s failure to meet this deadline raises serious questions about their ability to follow the very laws they expect others to uphold.

“Former OBA candidate and Senator Vic Ball told us that the OBA failed to follow their party’s Constitution,” the PLP said, with the PLP claiming that “they’re not following legal requirements in the Bermuda Constitution.”

“Furthermore, we note that no declarations were filed by the independent candidates or the Free Democratic Movement [FDM]. This raises additional concerns about compliance across the board.

“The OBA has spent years chastising the PLP on governance and accountability. Yet, when it comes to something as straightforward as meeting a constitutional requirement, they have fallen short. The people of Bermuda deserve leaders who respect the law—not a party that disregards deadlines and expects no consequences.

“It’s about the law, but it’s also about competence. It is clear that despite calling for the election as far back as November, they were not ready for the election. And, by failing to declare on time, they are not only disregarding the law, but also concerns over their competence for a group of people that aspire to be the government of the country.

“We call on the OBA to take responsibility for this serious oversight and clarify how it intends to address the potential disqualification of its candidates.

“The PLP remains committed to upholding the integrity of Bermuda’s democratic process. We followed the law. The OBA did not.”

OBA Statement

Party Chairwoman Lynne Woolridge said, “The Progressive Labour Party is obviously trying to stir the emotions of the electorate unnecessarily. Contrary to the party’s assertion, the One Bermuda Alliance did file its declarations on time. We had seven days to disclose pertinent information and we did so.

“It’s not surprising that the PLP is creating this rhetoric to make us look bad. The party is intent on casting the OBA in the worst possible light—as Advance Polling is ending.

“The continuation of distortion and lies should stop.

“The PLP is trying to cause distractions so the focus isn’t on the contracts held by its own candidates. As always it is smoke and mirrors.”

Update Feb 12, 10.46am: C15 Candidate Owen Darrell said, “The Bermuda Constitution order is clear 30[6]:

“Subject to such exceptions and limitations as may be prescribed by the Legislature, a person shall not be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Assembly if he has an interest in any Government contract and has not, within seven days of his nomination as a candidate for election, disclosed the nature of the contract and his interest therein by means of a notice published in the Gazette or in a newspaper published and circulating in Bermuda.”

This is not up to interpretation. The three candidates in question either did this or they did not. The OBA said:

“Contrary to the party’s assertion, the One Bermuda Alliance did file its declarations on time. We had seven days to disclose pertinent information and we did so.”

C15 Candidate Owen Darrell added, “The One Bermuda Alliance can say whatever they want, but the fact is their declaration only appeared today.

“The law does not count Sundays or Public Holidays, therefore, as their declarations were published today—that means they were filed nine days after nomination day, which is two days after the deadline. If the OBA did publish the declarations by 8 Feb 2025, show Bermuda the receipts! They are not in the Official Gazette, and we have not seen them in a newspaper before today.

“The OBA can name-call all they want, but either they followed the Constitution, or they did not. If they did, they should prove to the people that they filed their declarations on time as required.

“The fact that they didn’t share the evidence and have resorted to name-calling – should make everyone question if they have in fact followed the law.”

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