Barbados – PM Mottley Invites Election Observers

2026-01-28 - 15:13

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has formally invited observer missions from both CARICOM and the Commonwealth to monitor Barbados’ upcoming general election, scheduled for February 11. The Prime Minister said letters were dispatched to the secretaries-general of the two regional and international bodies following public comments by Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, who raised concerns about the preparedness of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) ahead of the poll. Mottley explained that the decision to invite external observers was aimed at reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring transparency at every stage of the exercise. The election was officially announced on January 18. She noted that Barbados has a long-standing tradition of free, fair, and credible elections, and welcomed independent scrutiny as part of that democratic culture. The presence of CARICOM and Commonwealth observers, she added, would provide objective assessments of the conduct of the election and the readiness of the country’s electoral machinery. The Prime Minister stressed that the invitations were not unusual, pointing out that election observation is a standard democratic practice across the region, particularly when questions are raised in the public domain. Election day preparations are now underway as political parties intensify campaigning in the lead-up to the February 11 vote.