ARRIVAL STATEMENT
CARICOM Election Observation Mission to the General Election of Barbados – 11 February 2026
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has mounted a three-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to observe the General Election of Barbados, scheduled for 11 February 2026.
The Mission was deployed in response to an invitation extended by the Government of Barbados, issued via a letter dated 27 January 2026. The team will be in the country from 5 to13 February 2026.
The Mission comprises senior electoral officials from three CARICOM Member States – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Jamaica. The CEOM is headed by Chief of Mission, Mr. Ian S. Hughes, Supervisor of Elections, Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission. The other members are:
Ms. Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer, Belize – Deputy Chief of Mission; and
Mr. Andrew Smith, Regional Manager, Electoral Commission of Jamaica.
The observers are supported by three CARICOM Secretariat staff providing administrative and logistical assistance:
Ms. Shae-Alicia Lewis, Programme Manager, Community Relations;
Mr. Irvin Brown, Project Officer, Foreign and Community Relations; and
Ms. Denise Morgan, Senior Secretary, Foreign and Community Relations.
The Chief, Deputy Chief of Mission and CARICOM Secretariat staff arrived in Barbados on 5 February 2026, with the remaining team member expected to arrive on 7 February 2026.
To date, the CEOM has met with the Commissioner of Police and other high-ranking officers, the Barbados Christian Council, and members of the media fraternity. In the coming days, the Mission anticipates meeting with the Honourable Mia Amor Motley, Prime Minister of Barbados and leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Mr. Ralph Thorne, Leader of the Opposition and of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Mr. Ramon Alleyne, Chair of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission, along with other members of the Commission, and Ms. Sherland Turton, Chief Electoral Officer. The team will also engage with other political parties and civil society institutions.
These engagements are expected to provide the CEOM with insight into the pre-election atmosphere and will facilitate an assessment of the country’s preparedness for the polls.
On Election Day, the Mission will observe the electoral process, including the opening of polls, the casting of votes, the closure of polling stations, the counting of ballots, and the declaration of results. The CEOM will also assess the immediate post-election atmosphere.
Following the conclusion of the Election Day activities on 11 February 2026, and prior to the Mission’s departure on 13 February 2026, a Preliminary Statement will be issued, outlining the initial assessment of the electoral process.
A detailed Final Report, providing a summary of the CEOM’s comprehensive findings and recommendations, will subsequently be prepared. This Report will be submitted to Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, and will later be made public.
The CARICOM Election Observation Mission values this opportunity to support the democratic process in Barbados. The Mission expresses its appreciation for the warm welcome and cooperation received and extends its best wishes to the electorate as they prepare to go to the polls.
Ian S. Hughes
CHIEF OF MISSION
6 February 2026
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
WHAT THE HELL…! …CEOM: TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS…? …FIGUREHEAD
***
Invariably, a ‘…FIGUREHEAD’ was needed as a ‘…MOUTH-PIECE.’
***
MOST INTERESTING IS THIS:
The ‘…CARICOM ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION (CEOM),’ values this opportunity to ‘…SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS OF BARBADOS’ (last paragraph-14).
***
MISSION OF OPPORTUNISTS
Clearly, from the ‘…MISSION STATEMENT,’ it makes the ‘…MISSIONARIES’ seem like:
(a) ‘…OPPORTUNISTS WHO HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED: to
(b) …SUPPORT ‘…DEMOCRACY’ AS OPPOSED: to
(c) …MONITORING A VERY OFTEN ‘…SUSPECTEDLY-RIGGED ELECTORAL PROCESS.’
***
PARAGRAPHS 11 AND 12
This is more in keeping with ‘…PARAGRAPHS 11 and 12 of ‘…MISSION STATEMENT.’
***
WHAT THE HELL…!
RICK JAMES – RALPH FRANCIS: ‘…FREE AND FAIR ELECTION LEAGUE’
Both advocates have always spoken to:
‘…FREENESS AND FAIRNESS OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESSES.’
NOTWITHSTANDING THEIR TRANSITION, THEY MAY STILL MAKE BETTER ‘…MISSIONARIES.’
***
DIFFERENT NOTE:
BACK HOME:
ROAD AND HOME RULES:
…WALK GOOD:
…WATCH OUT FOR GUNMEN:
…BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY:
…PROTECT YOUR DARN SELVES’ [Supreme Law: CO: 1981: Section 4].
***
It is my opinion that this is always an exercise in futility. This is just Observing for observing sake. Nothing reported has ever made any difference, it’s either the election was conducted in a proper manner or not. If an election was stolen that was done months before the day of voting, bribing even takes place on voting day and never changes anything like what I heard and believe happens in Antigua and Barbuda. Observer Missions are a damn waste of precious time and resources. Is was said last election here folks were transferred from strong constituencies to weaker ones in order to strengthen them. Wasn’t the head of the Electoral Commission aware? Just asking. Bloody sets of FRAUDS
That person goes all over to OBSERVE ELECTIONS.However,he could not and does not OBSERVE OVER HIS OWN ASSOCIATION.WHERE THE PRIME MINISTER SAID.HE TRANSFERRED VOTERS FROM HIS CONSTITUENCY INTO OTHERS TO HELP HIS FELLOW TEAM MEMBERS IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES.NOT ONE DAMN WORD WAS HEARD FROM THAT BEARDED ONE.A MATTER OF SUCH SIGNIFICANCE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.
@ The Falcon and the Snowman
Are you suggesting that the Chairman of the Electoral Commission is not really working on behalf of the citizens of the country? After hearing what PM Browne said after the last General Election I actually said that to an ABLP friend of mine she agreed with me; and believed that’s how Melford got through; but was still happy they won. I hope Mr. Hughes will do right by the people next time around
Caricom needs a proper mandate, which must include the entire population of the Caribbean. The last time the mission went to observe an Election was Trinidad. The winner then declared Caricom useless. The government over the past few months, showed that these is no such thing as Caricom. They deal with each leader separately and took all of them on a fools ride. Decisions that are edging on destroying the economy of the Conor Caricom. Every morning you easy up and is a new sanction.
First was no control of our own borders- the blue economy.
The visa sanctions.
The CIP sanctions
The green cards sanctions
The capturing of Venezuela leader and the shut down on our airspace with saying a word to anyone up to today. Definitely not before and nya word after.
Bonds attack to visa
Compelled to receive third party deportees
Sanctions for using Cuban medical support- Cuban medical professionals were sent back packing.
Last one was dictating that St. Lucia remove poor people children that are studying under scholarships with immediate effect from Cuba. Did not hear a word from Caricom.
To date no statement has been issued by Caricom , Caricom is useless.
One thing about ANR they suppress people’s opinions once they think differently, your opinion is not mine
Comments are closed.