ST. JOHN’S – A nine-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda to monitor the integrity of the general elections scheduled for April 30, 2026
Led by Maxine McClean, a member of the Barbados Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the regional team was deployed following a formal invitation from Prime Minister Gaston Browne. The mission serves as a critical independent body tasked with ensuring that the snap election—called early following the dissolution of Parliament on April 1—meets international standards for transparency and fairness.
“The importance of the opportunity to support the democratic process in Antigua and Barbuda is clear to the members of the Mission,” Chief of Mission McClean stated upon arrival.
The observer team includes a diverse group of regional experts, including Deputy Chief of Mission Herman St. Helen of Saint Lucia and Ambassador Felix Gregoire of Dominica. Representatives from Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago are also on the ground. Since their arrival on April 23, the group has been meeting with a cross-section of stakeholders, including government officials, opposition figures, the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, and civil society groups representing youth and the business community.
On election day, the observers will be stationed at various polling sites across the 17 constituencies to monitor the process from the opening of the polls to the final counting of ballots. The mission aims to gather both quantitative data on voter turnout and qualitative observations regarding the conduct of political actors and electoral officials.
The team is expected to issue a preliminary statement shortly after the polls close, with a final comprehensive report to be submitted to the CARICOM Secretary-General and shared with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. This mission forms part of CARICOM’s broader commitment to upholding democratic stability and public confidence in the electoral systems of its member states.