It is the intention of the Mission to observe the activities of the poll in as many constituencies as possible and as many polling stations as time permits. In this regard, the CEOM were present at a number of polling stations at the opening of the polls to observe the opening procedures, and will also be present at the close of the polls to observe the closing procedures. The voting process will be monitored during the course of the day; the Closing of the Poll will be observed; and finally, the tallying of the ballots will be observed by the CEOM. The observation of the polls commenced with the Opening of the Poll at 7:00 a.m. and will end with the Closing of the Poll at 7:00 p.m.
The Mission will issue a Preliminary Statement at the conclusion of the Elections and a comprehensive Report will thereafter be submitted to H.E. Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community.
From Arrival Statement by Ian Browne, Chief of Mission, CARICOM Electoral Observation Mission to Suriname Paramaribo, Suriname
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), at the invitation of the Government of Suriname, has mounted a CARICOM Electoral Observation Mission (CEOM) to Suriname to observe that country’s General Elections which will be held on Monday, 25 May 2015. The Mission which is headed by Mr. Ian Browne, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Department, Barbados, arrived in Suriname on 21 May 2015. The other members of the Mission are –
- Mr. Sherlyn Hall, The Bahamas;
- Mr. Anthony Greaves, Barbados;
- Mrs. Barrette Woodye, Belize;
- Mr. Henry George, Dominica;
- Mr. Glendon Bennett, Jamaica;
- Mr. Michael Flood, Saint Lucia; and
- Mr. Devanand Dhanpaul, Trinidad and Tobago.
The Mission is ably supported by two members of staff of the CARICOM Secretariat, Mr. Brian Bellevue and Ms. Helen Marshall.
The role of the CEOM is to observe the electoral process, collect information on the results, collect qualitative observations, observe and assess the outcomes and collaborate in the preparation of a final Report on the General Elections in Suriname.
The Mission commenced its consultations on Friday 22 May 2015, with a courtesy visit to the Vice President of the Republic of Suriname, Mr. Robert L A Ameeraii and the Honourable Mr. Winston Lackin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname.
The Mission also met with the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Council, Dr. Jennifer Van Dijk-Silos; the President of the Suriname Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lr. Henk Naarendorp and the Chief of Mission of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission, Ms Irene Klinger.
On Saturday, 23 May 2015, the Mission continued its consultations with representatives of the Coalition V7, which represents the Opposition; the Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Elections Mr. Hendrik Setrosantono; representatives of the UNASUR Election Observation Mission; and a representative from the NDP.
It is the intention of the Mission to observe the activities of the poll in as many constituencies as possible and as many polling stations as time permits. In this regard, the CEOM were present at a number of polling stations at the opening of the polls to observe the opening procedures, and will also be present at the close of the polls to observe the closing procedures. The voting process will be monitored during the course of the day; the Closing of the Poll will be observed; and finally, the tallying of the ballots will be observed by the CEOM. The observation of the polls commenced with the Opening of the Poll at 7:00 a.m. and will end with the Closing of the Poll at 7:00 p.m.
The Mission will issue a Preliminary Statement at the conclusion of the Elections and a comprehensive Report will thereafter be submitted to H.E. Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community.
We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the stakeholders who would have met with the Mission and especially the support from the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
IAN BROWNE, CHIEF OF MISSION
CARICOM ELECTORAL OBSERVATION MISSION TO SURINAME
PARAMARIBO, SURINAME
24 MAY 2015
