COMMISSIONER of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Sase Gunraj is Chief of Mission of a four-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) that is in St Kitts and Nevis to observe that country’s General Elections, which is being held today.

In addition to Gunraj, the team also includes Corey Greenidge of Barbados; Cecil Valies of Suriname; and Roslyn Cummings of Trinidad and Tobago. The CEOM is also supported by CARICOM Secretariat representatives Jhonson Alexandre and Alan Donawa.

The team was sent, based on an invitation from the Government of St Kitts and Nevis.
“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis extended an invitation to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to mount an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe General Elections in the country scheduled for 5 August, 2022. In response to the invitation, a four-member mission has been mounted to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” a statement from CARICOM said.

The team reportedly arrived in St Kitts on Wednesday, August 3, and is expected 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 St. Kitts and Nevis.

Prior to their arrival on the island, the mission’s members met, virtually, with the country’s Governor-General and its Commissioner of Police, and a team from the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKLP), which is led by Leader of the Opposition Dr. Denzil Douglas.

The CEOM also intends to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Timothy Harris, and meet with the Supervisor of Elections and representatives of other contesting political parties.

“The CEOM will also meet with other key stakeholders and representatives of civil society groups, and attend rallies, all in an effort to obtain an overview of the general atmosphere and level of preparedness for the electoral process,” CARICOM said in its statement.

In addition to observing the pre-election period, the CEOM will monitor today’s activities in as many of the constituencies as possible, including the opening, conduct, and closing of the polls, right up to the tabulation and announcement of the results.

“Following the conclusion of the Election Day activities on August 5, 2022, a preliminary statement will be issued, outlining the Mission’s initial assessment of the electoral process,” CARICOM said, adding: “The mission will, thereafter, collaborate in the preparation of a final report on the election for submission to Her Excellency, Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of CARICOM.”

In closing, CARICOM said the CEOM is appreciative of the warm welcome it has been accorded by the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, and besides looking forward to the successful conclusion of the electoral process, would like to take the opportunity to wish the electorate of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis every success as they go to the polls today.