Caricom Observers – By Kisean Joseph
Caricom Observers Give Polls
The CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) has concluded that voters in Antigua and Barbuda exercised their franchise peacefully and without significant incident at the April 30th General Elections.
That is the central finding of the six-member team’s interim assessment, delivered at a media briefing on Friday ahead of a full report to be submitted to the CARICOM Secretary General in the coming weeks.
Chief of Mission Maxine McLean, a member of the Electoral Commission of Barbados, told reporters the team visited 16 of the 17 constituencies on polling day, covering 182 of the 185 polling stations across the twin-island state.
McLean said polling stations opened on time at 6 a.m., supplies arrived promptly, and two polling agents from each political party were present at the start of the day. She added that police presence was adequate and that staff carried out opening procedures as required.
“Polling stations opened on time, and voters were able to cast their vote in a very peaceful and orderly manner,” the Chief of Mission said.
Voter turnout, according to the Mission, was heaviest in the morning and shortly before the polls closed at 6 p.m., with a noticeable lull during the midday period. McLean said information clerks assisted electors in checking the voters’ list, while polling staff aided elderly and incapacitated voters in what she described as an “impartial, uniformed manner”.
At the close of polls, observers reported largely no queues, although electors still in line at 6 p.m. were permitted to vote in keeping with the regulations. The team subsequently witnessed the sealing of ballot boxes, their transportation to counting stations, and the count itself, which McLean said was conducted in the presence of polling agents and observers in accordance with established procedures.
“The CEOM is of the view that on Election Day, electors were able to exercise their franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner and without significant incident,” McLean said. “The polling day workers performed their duties professionally and must be commended.”
The Mission also commended the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, describing officers as “extremely professional” in their interaction with electors and stakeholders at polling stations.
In the lead-up to election day, the team consulted widely with national stakeholders. Among those engaged were Prime Minister and leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Gaston Browne; Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle of the United Progressive Party; Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers; the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission; the Supervisor of Elections along with independent media voices and social media personalities.
McLean said those meetings gave the Mission a general sense of the atmosphere and the level of preparedness ahead of the poll.
The Chief of Mission was joined at the briefing by St Lucia’s Chief Elections Officer, Herman St Helen. The team also comprised electoral experts drawn from Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, St Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Members arrived in Antigua and Barbuda between 23rd and 27th April and are scheduled to depart on 3rd May.
The Mission extended its appreciation to the CARICOM Secretary General for the invitation to observe the polls, and thanked individuals and organizations who made themselves available for consultations.
“CARICOM reaffirms its commitment to continuing to support Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic journey and the country’s pursuit of a peaceful, unified and prosperous future,” McLean said.
A final report containing the Mission’s full findings and recommendations is to be submitted to the CARICOM Secretary General in the coming weeks.
