CARICOM Election Observation Mission to Belize arrives, holds meetings with local stakeholder

Published by BBN Staff at November 9, 2020

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Posted: Monday, November 9, 2020. 1:01 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: The CARICOM Election Observation Mission to Belize, which arrived here over the weekend, is scheduled to meet today with John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition; Dean Barrow, Prime Minister; CEO and Members, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry; President, Council of Churches; Chairman, Belize Progressive Party; Executive Director, National Women’s Commission; and President, Belize Bar Association.

Previously, it met with Chief Elections Officer, Belize Elections and Boundaries Department, and the Chairman and Members, Belize Election and Boundaries Commission; Chairman and Members, Belize Peace Movement; Department of Youth Services, CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (present and former) and other youth leaders; President and Members, Belize People’s Front; President and Members, National Trade Union Congress of Belize; and The Honourable Patrick Faber, Leader Elect, United Democratic Party.

The six-member Mission, headed by Jeannette Charles of Antigua and Barbuda, includes electoral officials from various Member States with extensive experience conducting international observation missions.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the observer group will visit a number of polling stations to observe the preparations in regard to the COVID-19 regulations and general preparation for the day of elections.

On Election Day itself, the Observers will observe the electoral process, including the preparations for the start of the poll, the opening of the polling stations, the casting of votes, the closure of the polling stations, the counting of the ballots and the preparation of the Statement of Poll; 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, 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.

A preliminary statement will be issued on Thursday based on day-of reports, followed by the formal report to CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, to be shared with the new Government and Opposition and the Election and Boundaries Commission.

CARICOM was formally invited to observe the election in October by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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