A 10-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission (OECM) has declared Tuesday’s St Lucia General Election a success.

In an initial assessment of Election Day activities, the OECM, led by Chief of Mission Fern Narcis-Scope, the chief election officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Elections and Boundaries Commission, said voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or fear, and that the results reflected the will of the people of St Lucia.

“From observations, the polls were opened in a timely manner in the majority of the polling districts,” the OECM stated.

“All the stations observed were fully staffed and most had at least four polling agents present, representing the two major political parties that contested the general election. Most polling stations were conveniently located and easily accessible to the voters, though some instances of accessibility challenges for the disabled, elderly and infirmed were noted. The Mission observed that there was an adequate supply of the required voting material which arrived promptly to facilitate the opening of the polls.”

The OECM added: “Adequate police security was in place at all locations visited, with officials conducting their duties in a professional and efficient manner. This contributed to the level of calm which accompanied the day’s activities. However, a higher level of police participation could have been engaged in maintaining social distancing amongst electors in the queues.

“The poll workers were focused as they steadily carried out the required procedures, thereby ensuring that all eligible electors who turned out to vote were able to do so. Their efforts to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols and sanitise the polling stations after each elector voted is also commendable.”

CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque organised the observation mission on the invitation of then Prime Minister Allan Chastanet, whose United Workers Party would go on to lose the elections to Phillip Pierre’s St Lucia Labour Party.

Pierre took office as prime minister today (July 28) while Chastanet took his seat as opposition leader.

Among the members of the observation mission were nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

A full independent report is to be prepared by the Chief of the CEOM for submission to the CARICOM Secretary-General.