A three-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission will travel to Barbados on February 5 to monitor the country’s General Election scheduled for February 11.

The mission will be led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes, according to a report by the Antigua Broadcasting Service (ABS).

Hughes will be joined by Andrew Smith, Regional Manager at the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, and Josephine Tamai, Chief Election Officer of Belize. 

The team is scheduled to be in Barbados until February 13.

As Chief of Mission, Hughes will serve as an independent contractor and will provide leadership and oversight to the CARICOM Election Observation Mission in keeping with the Mission’s Terms of Reference.

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley requested the presence of a CARICOM observer mission days after announcing the snap election.

The Barbados Government Information Service said the mission will monitor the conduct of the election campaign, administrative preparations and the general environment leading up to the polls. Observers will also oversee the voting process on Election Day and provide an impartial assessment of the electoral process in line with regional and international democratic standards.

The observer team is expected to meet with several stakeholders, including the Electoral and Boundaries Commission, political party representatives, members of the media and civil society organisations.