CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana - Dec. 8, 2010 --  The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Electoral Observer Mission currently in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for General Elections there on Monday 13 December has so far held discussions with the political parties and stakeholders involved in the electoral process.

The Mission, in an Arrival Statement released on Thursday 9 December, said that those discussions have allowed them to have a better understanding and greater appreciation of the issues and concerns raised.

CARICOM, through its Secretariat, had accepted an invitation from the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to observe the country’s General Elections. Mr. Gocool Boodhoo of Guyana is the Chief of Mission with Mr. Carson Raggie of Saint Lucia serving as Deputy Chief of Mission. The Mission comprises twelve observers from seven Member States, and it is being assisted by staff members of the CARICOM Secretariat.

The full text of the Arrival Statement reads as follows:

The CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission was mounted in response to an invitation from the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to send an Observer Team to monitor the conduct of the General Elections to be held on Monday, 13 December 2010.

The twelve (12) member Observer Mission comprises representatives from seven (7) CARICOM Member States and the CARICOM Secretariat. These include:

CORE GROUP:

Mr. Gocool Boodoo, Chief Elections Officer, Guyana - Chief of Mission 
Mr. Carson Raggie, Chief Elections Officer, Saint Lucia  - Deputy Chief of Mission
Ms. Dennisia Francisco CARICOM Secretariat

Mr. David Kelsick - Antigua and Barbuda
Mr. Hensley Robinson - Barbados
Ms. Grace Anne Crichlow - Barbados
Ms. Dorothy Ann Smith-Bradley - Belize
Mr. Henry George - Dominica
Ms. Judy E. Benoit - Grenada
Mr. Noel Lee - Jamaica
Mr. John Mattis - Jamaica
Mr. Neville Bissember - CARICOM Secretariat

The administrative support to the Mission is being ably provided by Ms. Serojnie Seetaram, of the CARICOM Secretariat.

The Core Group arrived on Monday, 6 December 2010. The other members of the Observer Mission are expected today, Thursday, 9 December 2010.

Twelve (12) members of the team will be deployed mainly in St. Vincent since the logistical arrangements to get to the Northern and Southern Grenadines cannot now be completed. Nevertheless, such deployment would enable the Mission to fully monitor the Elections in thirteen (13) of the fifteen (15) constituencies, representing some 92.5% of the official Polling Stations.

The main objectives of the CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission are to observe the preparations for and the conduct of the General Elections and to carry out an independent, impartial and honest assessment of that process.

The findings of the Mission would be submitted in the form of a comprehensive report to the Secretary-General of the CARICOM Secretariat within twenty-one (21) days after the Mission would have departed.

In the execution of its functions since the arrival of the Mission in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Core Team met with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Louis Straker who is also the Deputy Leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP).

Extensive discussions were also held with:

The Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Arnhim Eustace of the New Democratic Party;
The Leader of the Green Party, Mr. Ivan O’Neal;
The Commissioner of Police (ag), Mr. Bertie Pompey;
The Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Sylvia Findlay-Scrubb; and,
Members of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Visits to rallies of political parties are also planned.

The discussions held so far have provided the Mission with a better understanding of the issues, and provide greater appreciation of the concerns raised.

It is through discussions and consultations with stakeholders and civil society groups and the monitoring of the preparations and conduct of the poll that the Mission would be in a position to best make an independent, impartial and objective assessment of the outcome of the Elections. Thereafter, a Preliminary Statement based on the Mission’s observation and findings will be made. The Mission will depart St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, 15 December 2010.

The CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission is pleased to gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and recognition received from various stakeholders and the logistical support obtained from the Commissioner of Police (ag.) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since its arrival.