The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat was invited by way of letter dated 10 December 2024 from Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to deploy an Election Observation Mission to observe the Parliamentary Elections to be held in 2025. On 13 January 2025, the CARICOM Secretary-General advised that the Secretariat was fully prepared to undertake the necessary arrangements for the deployment of an Election Observation Mission to Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago advised on 19 March 2025 that Parliamentary Elections would be held on 28 April 2025 and confirmed the invitation to the CARICOM Secretariat, to mount a CARICOM Election Observation Mission.
In response to the invitation, an eight-member CARICOM Team has been deployed to observe the General Elections. The Mission is headed by Mr. Ian Hughes, Supervisor of Elections, Antigua and Barbuda.
The other members of the team are:
- Ms. Dora James, Supervisor of Elections, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Deputy Chief of Mission);
- Mr. Ramon Orlando Alleyne, Chairman, Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Barbados;
- Ms. Fatima Elizabeth Gordon, Supervisor of Registering Officers, Elections and Boundaries Department of Belize;
- Ms. Maureen John-Xavier, Attorney-at-Law, Saint Lucia;
- Mr. Andrew Anthony Smith, Regional Manager, Electoral Commission of Jamaica;
- Ms. Schnaida Adely, Vice-President, Haiti Provisional Electoral Council; and
- H.E. Felix Gregoire, Chairman, Public Service Commission, Commonwealth of Dominica.
The Mission is supported by the following CARICOM Secretariat staff: Ms. Angella Prendergast, Director, Foreign and Community Relations; Ms. Shae-Alicia Lewis, Programme Manager, Community Relations; Mr. Irvin Brown, Project Officer, Foreign and Community Relations; and Ms. Serojnie Seetaram, Senior Secretary, Foreign and Community Relations.
The core team, comprising the Chief of Mission, Deputy Chief of Mission and the representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat, arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on 21 April 2025. Since then, meetings have been held with various stakeholders. These include engagements on 22 April 2025 with the Chief Elections Officer and the Chairman and Members of the Elections and Boundaries Commission; the General Secretary and members of the United National Congress and the Political Leader of the National Transformation Alliance. Other meetings with political representatives and civil society are scheduled for the remainder of the week.
On 28 April, the team will observe the electoral process, including the preparations for the start of the poll, opening of polling stations, casting of votes, closure of polling stations, counting of ballots, and preparation of the Statement of Poll. The team will also collect information on the results at the voting tables to assist in the quantitative verification of the results; collect qualitative observations regarding the voting process, such as the comportment of the electoral officials and political actors, and on the overall electoral environment; and observe and assess the outcome of the elections and the initial immediate impact on the social and political environment.
The CEOM will issue a Preliminary Statement following the elections and will subsequently prepare the Final Report of the Electoral Observation Mission, to be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. This Report will be shared with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Election and Boundaries Commission.
The CEOM will depart Trinidad and Tobago on 30 April 2025.
The CARICOM Election Observation Mission values the opportunity to support the democratic process in Trinidad and Tobago and expresses its appreciation for the warm welcome and cooperation received since its arrival.
Ian S. Hughes
CHIEF OF MISSION
22 April 2025
