CARICOM deploys Election Observation Mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has deployed a ten-member Election Observation Mission to monitor the general elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, set for 27 November 2025. The team arrived following a formal invitation from the Vincentian government, issued on 2 October.

The observers will be in the country from 20–29 November and include senior electoral officials from seven CARICOM member states, supported by three staff members from the CARICOM Secretariat. The mission is led by Chief of Mission Sase R. Gunraj, a Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Other members of the observation team are Clovis St. Romain of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission; Barbados House Speaker Arthur Eugene Holder; Dominica’s Chief Elections Officer Anthea Joseph; Grenada Parliamentary Elections Office systems administrator Karina Nicola Thomas; Dorinnie Irma of Suriname’s Independent Electoral Council; and Gillian Macintyre of Trinidad and Tobago’s Elections and Boundaries Commission.

Secretariat staff supporting the mission include Programme Manager for Community Relations Shae-Alicia Lewis, Project Officer for Foreign and Community Relations Irvin Brown, and Senior Secretary Serojnie Seetaram. The Core Group — comprising the Chief of Mission and Secretariat staff — arrived on 20 November, with the remaining observers expected by 23 November.

Since arriving, the mission has met with New Democratic Party Chairman Daniel Cummings, on behalf of Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday; National Liberation Movement Leader Dr. Doris Frederick; representatives of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union; the Voice of the Disabled; and members of the media. In the coming days, they are expected to meet with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Supervisor of Elections Dora James, Commissioner of Police Enville Williams, and additional political and civil society stakeholders.

The meetings, CARICOM said, will help the mission assess the pre-election environment and preparedness ahead of voting.

On Election Day, observers will monitor the full electoral process, including opening procedures, voting, the close of polls, ballot counting, and the declaration of results. They will also assess the immediate post-election environment.

A Preliminary Statement outlining the mission’s initial findings will be released before its departure on 29 November. A more detailed final report will later be submitted to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and made public.

The mission said it “values this opportunity to support the democratic process in St. Vincent and the Grenadines” and expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and cooperation received since arriving, offering best wishes to voters preparing to cast their ballots.