Barbados’ February 11 General Election will be observed by international missions from CARICOM and the Commonwealth, following an invitation extended by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley amid concerns raised by the political opposition.
Mottley said she formally wrote to the secretaries general of both organisations after Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne publicly questioned the readiness of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC), as well as the credibility of the electoral process. She rejected those concerns, insisting that the commission is acting within the law and that preparations for the poll are on track.
The Prime Minister’s comments followed a smooth nomination day on Tuesday, with election officials reporting no incidents at any of the island’s nomination centres. The centres closed at 3 p.m., and the process was described as orderly and trouble-free.
Five political parties submitted candidates to contest the election, including the governing Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP). Other parties entering the race are Reform Barbados, Friends of Democracy (FOD), and the People’s Coalition for Progress (PCP), a coalition comprising the New National Party (NNP), United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Conservative Barbados Leadership Party (CBLP).
According to publicly available figures, more than 80 candidates representing approximately nine political parties were nominated, along with one independent candidate. Both the BLP and the DLP are fielding candidates in all 30 constituencies. Friends of Democracy has nominated 12 candidates, while the People’s Coalition for Progress is contesting half of the seats.
Reaffirming that international observers would be present on election day, Mottley assured voters that the election would be conducted in accordance with the law. The general election was called on January 18.
