Belize’s Chief Elections Officer in Barbados on an observer mission 

A three-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission has arrived in Barbados to monitor that country’s General Election scheduled for February 11.  The mission is being led by Chief of Mission Ian S. Hughes of Antigua and Barbuda, and includes Belize’s Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, who is serving as Deputy Chief of Mission. The team was invited by the Government of Barbados to independently assess the electoral process.  During their stay, the observers are expected to meet with key stakeholders, including Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, and officials from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission. They will also observe voting, the counting of ballots, and the declaration of results.  CARICOM says the mission is intended to support transparency and public confidence in the democratic process. A preliminary statement will be issued on election day, followed by a comprehensive final report to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett.  The observers arrived in Barbados on Friday where they had a press conference at Hotel Indigo in Hastings.

The election comes as the ruling Barbados Labour Party seeks to maintain its overwhelming majority in the House of Assembly under the Mia Mottley administration.