Ian Hughes Issues Statement on Arrival in Barbados as head of CARICOM Observer Mission

ARRIVAL STATEMENT

CARICOM Election Observation Mission to the General Election of Barbados – 11 February 2026

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has mounted a three-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to observe the General Election of Barbados, scheduled for 11 February 2026.

The Mission was deployed in response to an invitation extended by the Government of Barbados, issued via a letter dated 27 January 2026. The team will be in the country from 5 to13 February 2026.

The Mission comprises senior electoral officials from three CARICOM Member States – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Jamaica. The CEOM is headed by Chief of Mission, Mr. Ian S. Hughes, Supervisor of Elections, Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission. The other members are:

Ms. Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer, Belize – Deputy Chief of Mission; and
Mr. Andrew Smith, Regional Manager, Electoral Commission of Jamaica.

The observers are supported by three CARICOM Secretariat staff providing administrative and logistical assistance:

Ms. Shae-Alicia Lewis, Programme Manager, Community Relations;
Mr. Irvin Brown, Project Officer, Foreign and Community Relations; and
Ms. Denise Morgan, Senior Secretary, Foreign and Community Relations.

The Chief, Deputy Chief of Mission and CARICOM Secretariat staff arrived in Barbados on 5 February 2026, with the remaining team member expected to arrive on 7 February 2026.

To date, the CEOM has met with the Commissioner of Police and other high-ranking officers, the Barbados Christian Council, and members of the media fraternity. In the coming days, the Mission anticipates meeting with the Honourable Mia Amor Motley, Prime Minister of Barbados and leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Mr. Ralph Thorne, Leader of the Opposition and of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Mr. Ramon Alleyne, Chair of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission, along with other members of the Commission, and Ms. Sherland Turton, Chief Electoral Officer. The team will also engage with other political parties and civil society institutions.

These engagements are expected to provide the CEOM with insight into the pre-election atmosphere and will facilitate an assessment of the country’s preparedness for the polls.

On Election Day, the Mission will observe the electoral process, including the opening of polls, the casting of votes, the closure of polling stations, the counting of ballots, and the declaration of results. The CEOM will also assess the immediate post-election atmosphere.

Following the conclusion of the Election Day activities on 11 February 2026, and prior to the Mission’s departure on 13 February 2026, a Preliminary Statement will be issued, outlining the initial assessment of the electoral process.

A detailed Final Report, providing a summary of the CEOM’s comprehensive findings and recommendations, will subsequently be prepared. This Report will be submitted to Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, and will later be made public.

The CARICOM Election Observation Mission values this opportunity to support the democratic process in Barbados. The Mission expresses its appreciation for the warm welcome and cooperation received and extends its best wishes to the electorate as they prepare to go to the polls.

Ian S. Hughes

CHIEF OF MISSION

6 February 2026

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]