An international team of election observers has declared that Montserrat’s general election was transparent, fair, and reflective of the people’s will.
The visitors released their initial findings following a week-long mission to assess the island’s voting system against international standards, commitments, obligations, and domestic laws.
In a preliminary statement published on 26 October, the team said it observed the opening of polling stations, voting, the closing of polls, the count and the results in the early hours of 25 October.
“Within twelve hours, that mission saw the new government and leader of the opposition sworn into office in a smooth, peaceful and efficient transfer of power,” it continued.
They said that election day was efficiently administered, the election results were accepted by all stakeholders, there were no requests for a recount and there have been no legal challenges to date.
The team commended those whose public service and hard work enabled the successful exercise of democracy, both in the preparation and the execution of election day.
“The election was transparent, fair and reflects the will of the Montserratians who went to the polls that day,” they said, adding that many procedures were followed conscientiously.
Civic engagement
The visiting team said the increased turnout in the recent election, of an additional five per cent, and the high number of candidates, demonstrates a high-level of civic engagement in politics in Montserrat.
“This election was notable for the introduction of a new mobile polling station which enabled persons to exercise their franchise in a more accessible and dignified manner,” they added.
They commended electoral officials, staff at the prison, care home and hospital that the mobile station visited, the police force and the defence force.
The observers commented that there were areas where further attention and training would be beneficial to ensure a consistent application of procedure throughout the electoral process.
And they said the election and beneficial developments such as the mobile station were delivered against a backdrop of “complex legal, constitutional and regulatory frameworks”.
They suggested that a comprehensive review of electoral processes and the legal frameworks within which they operate could prove prudent and enhance future elections.
This could review issues such as the voter registration process, candidate eligibility, the regulation of election campaigns, political party registration, and rules on campaign finance, the statement said.
Above and beyond
Mission head Shellya Rogers-Webster, a member of the House of Assembly of Anguilla, said it was a privilege to observe the general elections take place in a peaceful, competitive and transparent manner.
“We witnessed many individuals go above and beyond in their public service to their country, ensuring election day went smoothly.
“This election saw the successful introduction of a mobile polling station and an increase in voter turnout.
“We trust this statement, and our forthcoming report, play a part in supporting Montserrat’s precious democracy.”
Governor Sarah Tucker invited the group and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, British Islands and Mediterranean Region coordinated the mission.
The seven visiting observers included parliamentarians from Anguilla, Northern Ireland and Scotland, two election experts and two members of staff from Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK.
In the next two months the team will produce a longer final report with further recommendations.
Watch a press conference in which the observers read their preliminary statement and answered questions from local media in full below:
