The Atlantic and Caribbean Overseas Territories have population sizes ranging from 5,000 in Montserrat to 70,000 in the Cayman Islands.

In each island grouping, they have registered voters:

• The Cayman Islands pop 70,000 with 23,596 registered voters or 33 per cent of the population

• The Bermuda Islands total pop: 63,000 with 45,422 registered voters or 72 per cent of the population

• The Turks & Caicos Islands total pop: 39,000 with 8,581 registered voters or 22 per cent of the population

• The British Virgin Islands total pop: 30,000 with 10,700 registered voters or 35 per cent of the population

• Anguilla total pop:15,500 with 11,953 registered voters or 77 per cent of the population

• Montserrat total pop: 5,000 with 3,858 registered voters or 77 per cent of the population

Looking at the number of registered voters indicates the demographics in each island.

In Anguilla, Bermuda and Montserrat, the number of registered voters exceed 70 per cent in each respective island. This clearly indicates that the majority of the population are eligible to vote by virtue of status or “belongership”.

In the Turks & Caicos Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the numbers of registered voters fall below 35 per cent. This indicates that the majority of the population are not eligible to register to vote, and of not having status or belongership.

Essentially, in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and Turks & Caicos Islands, the majority of residents are non-belongers.

In our second chart, we can see the vaccination rates in each respective Overseas Territory as of December 20, 2021.

Here is the data:

• Both the Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands have achieved 80 per cent

• Bermuda Islands just over 70 per cent

• Anguilla 60 per cent

• British Virgin Islands 57 per cent

• Montserrat 30 per cent

What is important to note is that in both Cayman and Turks & Caicos, the respective governments have legislation that makes it mandatory that all those on work permits must get immunised. Those that refused to do so would not have their work permits renewed.

Subsequently, that the majority of their population are guest workers would account for high numbers of immunised persons.

In the other four islands, including Bermuda, there is no such mandate for guest workers.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com