A Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Elections Observer Mission (CEOM) on Friday said it will examine concerns about the integrity of Barbados’ final voters’ list as part of its work ahead of next week’s general election, while stressing it has no authority to intervene in the country’s electoral process.
The three-member mission, which arrived on the island Thursday at the government’s invitation, said it would document issues raised by stakeholders and make recommendations where necessary.
Chief Electoral Officer Sherland Turton said the voters’ register would be completed on Friday, with chairman of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Ramon Alleyne indicating that the final list is expected to be released on Saturday.
Speaking at a press briefing at Hotel Indigo in Hastings, Mission Chief Ian Hughes said concerns about missing names on the register fall within the team’s scope, but any action would be limited to observation and reporting.
Hughes said: “[Missing names is our remit to observe] since the register of electors, or the electors’ list, is probably the most important aspect of any election. And so yes, we have also heard… that there are some concerns. It is key that we state here that we cannot make any interventions in your election. Barbados is a sovereign state, and so what we do is we observe, we listen to the stakeholders, we put those concerns in writing, and we make recommendations.
“Of course, based on our findings, then, at the end of the day, the stakeholders may utilise that particular report as further documentation, factual documentation, if they wish to go further with any sort of legal challenges or proceedings.”
Hughes noted that with the election process already under way, the observers’ role is strictly limited.
“We’re not here to supervise,’ said the mission chief. “We’re not here to change your processes.
They’re already under way. What we can do is make recommendations regarding your stakeholder concerns.”
Since arriving, the observers have met with the commissioner of police and senior officers, the Barbados Christian Council (BXC) and members of the media. Meetings are also planned with Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, the EBC leadership, and other political and civil society stakeholders.
These consultations are expected to help the mission assess the pre-election environment and the country’s readiness for the February 11 polls.
Hughes said: “The role of the CEOM observers on Election Day will be to observe, not supervise, the electoral process, including preparations for the start of the poll, the casting of votes, the closure of the polling stations, the counting of the ballots and the declaration of results. The CEOM will also assess the immediate post-election atmosphere, following the conclusion of Election Day activities.”
A preliminary statement outlining the mission’s initial findings will be issued before the team departs Barbados on Friday. A more detailed report will later be submitted to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett and made public.
The mission is made up of senior electoral officials from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Jamaica, supported by CARICOM Secretariat staff providing logistical and administrative assistance.
