Barbados Invites CARICOM, Commonwealth Observers for February Election

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has formally invited observer missions from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Commonwealth to monitor Barbados’s general election on February 11. The move addresses public concerns over electoral integrity raised by opposition leader Ralph Thorne, who questioned the preparedness of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Nomination proceedings concluded orderly on Tuesday, with candidates from five major parties – including the governing Barbados Labour Party and the opposition Democratic Labour Party – filing to contest all 30 parliamentary seats. Over 80 candidates were nominated in total.

Mottley reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a lawful and transparent process, stating international observers would be present on election day. The vote, called on January 18, will be the first since Barbados became a republic in 2021.