ST. KITTS – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) through its Secretariat has accepted an invitation from the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to observe the country’s General Elections scheduled for January 25, 2010.
This CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission to St. Kitts and Nevis follows a practice of fielding Missions to Member States during such constitutional processes. The Mission is funded by the Government of Australia, whose contribution is seen as a critical support of good governance, democracy and the rule of law in the Caribbean Community.
Mrs. Versil Charles-Wright of Trinidad and Tobago is the Chief of Mission while the other members of the core group comprise Ms. A. Agnes Blaize of Antigua and Barbuda , Mr. Earl Simpson of Jamaica and Mr. Carson Raggie of Saint Lucia. The Mission will be assisted by two staff members of the CARICOM Secretariat.
Mrs. Charles-Wright arrived in St. Kitts and Nevis on January 20 to monitor the pre-elections environment. She and the rest of the core group will depart the CARICOM Member State on January 27.
Electoral observer missions are regarded as critical to the Community’s efforts to foster democratic principles and the maintenance of good governance in the Region. In addition, it allows for the observation and documentation of the General Elections process for the official and historical records of the Community. The records are preserved as a point of reference for similar activities in the future.
