ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Oct 31, CMC – A CARICOM Election Observation Mission is now in Grenada ahead of next Thursday’s general elections, with an 11-member team set to monitor the electoral process, including the casting and counting of ballots and the declaration of results.
The mission was invited by the Grenada government to observe the November 5 polls and will also assess the pre-election and post-election environment.
It comprises senior electoral officials from eight Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, along with three members of the CARICOM Secretariat who are providing administrative and logistical support.
The mission is headed by Herman St. Helen, Chief Elections Officer of the Saint Lucia Electoral Department, while Sase Gunraj, a commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission, is the Deputy Chief of Mission.
The other electoral officials are Elisa Graham of Antigua and Barbuda, Harrison Thompson of The Bahamas, Sherland Turton of Barbados, Rosalba Vasquez of Belize, Catiecia Smith of Jamaica and Danielle Williams of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Secretariat support team comprises Brian Bellevue, Programme Manager, Foreign and Community Relations; Amos Lindor, Project Officer, Foreign and Community Relations; and Serojnie Seetaram, Executive Secretary, Foreign and Community Relations.
The mission’s core group arrived in Grenada on October 29 and 30, while the remaining members are expected to arrive on November 1. The team is scheduled to depart between November 6 and 7.
Ahead of the elections, the observers are meeting with political parties, law enforcement officials, media representatives and other stakeholders to assess preparations and the prevailing electoral environment.
The mission has already held consultations with National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader Gloria Thomas, New National Party (NNP) leader Emmalin Pierre, Commissioner of Police Randy Connaught and his commanding officers, Media Workers Association of Grenada chairperson Calistra Farrier, Democratic People’s Movement (DPM) leader Peter David, and political and social analyst Kem Jones.
It also plans to meet with Supervisor of Elections Arthur Pierre, Progressive Labour Party (PLP) leader Jonathan La Crette, representatives of other international election observation missions, the Council for the Disabled, political analyst and social commentator Jennifer Simon, the Grenada Chamber of Commerce and the Grenada Trades’ Union Council.
On election day, observers will monitor preparations for the opening of polling stations, the casting of votes, the closure of polling stations, the counting of ballots and the declaration of results. They will also assess the immediate post-election atmosphere.
The mission is scheduled to issue a preliminary statement on November 6, outlining its initial assessment of the electoral process.
A detailed final report, including its findings and recommendations, will subsequently be submitted to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett and made public.
CMC/ed/2026