PM Mottley invites CARICOM, Commonwealth to observe Barbados elections

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has invited observer missions from CARICOM and the Commonwealth to monitor Barbados’ general election scheduled for February 11, reaffirming the government’s commitment to a free and fair poll.

Mottley said letters were sent to the secretaries general of both organisations following public comments by Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne, who raised concerns about the preparedness of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) and the integrity of the electoral process.

Her comments came after nomination day on Tuesday passed smoothly, with electoral officials reporting no incidents at nomination centres across the island. Nomination centres closed at 3 p.m., and officials said the process was orderly and trouble-free.

Candidates from five political parties filed nominations to contest the February 11 election. They include the governing Barbados Labour Party (BLP), the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Reform Barbados, Friends of Democracy (FOD), and the People’s Coalition for Progress (PCP), an alliance comprising the New National Party (NNP), United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Conservative Barbados Leadership Party (CBLP).

Following the nomination exercise, Mottley reiterated that international observers would be present for election day and assured Barbadians that the process would be conducted in accordance with the law.

She was responding to claims by DLP leader Ralph Thorne, who questioned the accuracy of the electoral list and the integrity of the electoral system. The Prime Minister rejected those assertions, insisting that the Electoral and Boundaries Commission is operating within the law and that the state is fully prepared to administer the poll.

According to publicly available information, more than 80 candidates representing approximately nine political parties were nominated, along with one independent candidate.

Both the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party will contest all 30 constituencies. Friends of Democracy has nominated 12 candidates, while the People’s Coalition for Progress has indicated it will contest half of the seats.

The general election was announced on January 18.