Arrival Statement – CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to the General Elections of the Commonwealth of Dominica

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has responded to the invitation extended by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica to mount a CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to observe General Elections scheduled for 6 December 2022.

The seven-member Mission is headed by Ms. Fern Narcis-Scope, Chief Election Officer, Elections and Boundaries Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.  Other members of the CEOM include:-

• Mr. Alrick Daniel – Antigua and Barbuda;
• Mr. Corey C. Greenidge – Barbados;

• Mr. Arold Julien – Haiti; and
• Mr. Dave Williams – Jamaica.

The CEOM is supported by Mr. Jhonson Alexandre and Ms. Serojnie Seetaram of the CARICOM Secretariat.

The role of the CEOM is to observe the electoral process, collect qualitative and quantitative information regarding the voting process and the results to facilitate the preparation of a final report on the General Elections of Dominica.

The Mission members paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica and met with the Leader and members of the United Workers Party (UWP).  The Mission also met with other stakeholders including the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), the Electoral Commission, the Chief of Police, Independent Candidates, and representatives of civil society groups, in an effort to obtain an overview of the general atmosphere and level of preparedness for the electoral process.

The CEOM will observe the pre-election period and on Election Day monitor activities in as many of the constituencies as possible including the opening, conduct, and closing of the polls through the tabulation and announcement of the results.

Following the conclusion of the Election Day activities on 6 December 2022, a Preliminary Statement will be issued outlining the Mission’s initial assessment of the electoral process. The Mission will thereafter prepare a detailed independent final report on the election for submission to Her Excellency Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community.  

The CEOM is appreciative of the warm welcome which has been extended to the Mission by the People of Dominica, looks forward to the successful conclusion of the electoral process and extends best wishes to the People of the Commonwealth of Dominica as they prepare to go to the polls on Tuesday, 6 December 2022.

FERN NARCIS-SCOPE

CHIEF OF MISSION

5 DECEMBER 2022