EU, Commonwealth, Carter Center observer missions voice concern over Region Four count

On the heels of the withdrawal of the Organization of American States (OAS) electoral observer mission over concerns about the lack of transparency in the Region Four vote count, the missions from the Commonwealth, the European Union and The Carter Center yesterday expressed grave concern about the process being used to determine the March 2 election results for Region Four.

In a joint statement, they also charged that the Region Four count was not complying with Wednesday’s decision by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire.

The statement, issued hours before a controversial declaration of the results, saw the missions voicing their concern about the “continued lack of transparency” in the ascertainment of results for Region 4.

“The order of the Honourable Chief Justice on 11 March was not followed. The tabulation process did not resume on 12 March as mandated by the court. When the tabulation process was resumed on 13 March, it was not in line with the judgement, which required public tabulation as a safeguard and a measure for promoting transparency and accountability. The Chief Justice reasserted today that the actual Statements of Poll have to be displayed in this process,” they said in the statement.

They argued that orders issued with the judgement should be complied with, and the tabulation process conducted and concluded accordingly. “Unless and until this is done in Region 4, the election results cannot be considered credible,” they added.

Against this background, the missions urged all stakeholders to use all available means to conclude the electoral process in a transparent manner. They also urged all political parties to adhere to the codes of conduct they signed and to do their utmost to ensure that a peaceful environment is maintained.