TCI heads to poll on Nov 9

After three years of direct rule from London, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are to go to the polls on November 9, to elect a government for the British territory.

The announcement has plunged the political parties on the tiny northern Caribbean group of islands into campaign mode, five months ahead of the elections.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which oversees the defence and foreign affairs of overseas territories disbanded the Michael Misick administration in 2009 and took control of the island's domestic affairs after an inquiry found evidence of corruption.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said critical financial controls have been implemented in the TCI to pave the way the elections and a return to home rule for the islands’ 45,000 people.