Opposition, new party leaders say snap election has compounded EBC problems

The leaders of two emerging political parties on Tuesday joined a chorus of criticism led by the Democratic Labour Party challenging the accuracy of the voters’ register, warning it could undermine confidence in the electoral process, despite assurances from the government and the independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The warnings came in response to Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s announcement on Tuesday during the nomination process that she had invited CARICOM and Commonwealth observers to monitor the polls. The move was intended to reinforce public confidence in the EBC and to ensure that the conduct of the election would be assessed independently of domestic political actors, the prime minister said.

Kemar Stuart, political leader of the New National Party, which forms part of the People’s Coalition for Progress, said the government should carefully consider opposition warnings before proceeding. 

“I think the government should pause for a moment and hear the concerns being issued by the opposition leader because they are valid. I had a personal experience where my name was also removed from the list,” the St John candidate told Barbados TODAY.

Stuart, who confirmed that his name has since been reinstated, suggested that many other Barbadians may not be listed. 

“It may have me added back to the list now, but there are many more persons who are not there. So the government should ensure that it has put all the correct legal measures in place ….” 

While Stuart clarified that he was not calling for a postponement of the election, he insisted that voters must have confidence in the process. 

“As long as you can provide that proof, the election could go ahead,” he said. He highlighted structural challenges with the voters’ list, including deceased persons still being listed, individuals who have transferred constituencies but whose changes are not reflected, and those simply missing from the register.

“You’re taking away their constitutional right to vote, either directly or indirectly. . . . They just need to prove to us that, you know, all legal corners are covered,” he said.

Stuart also criticised the early election call, arguing that it has compounded difficulties for the EBC. 

“Elections are political decisions sponsored by the prime minister. If we have fixed election dates, the EBC could operate outside of the powers of the prime minister and stop the prime minister or the Office of Prime Minister from interfering into the political process, which would then cause situations that we’re having now simply because this was a political decision made to call election a year early, which wasn’t necessarily a priority for the country.”

He continued: “The election was not a priority. The country could have waited for five years because the people voted that way. I expected to do five years…”

Karina Goodridge, political leader of the Friends of Democracy and candidate for St Philip West, also stressed the necessity of independent oversight to preserve public confidence. 

“The presence of independent overseers would be essential, especially where people are complaining about the issues with the voters’ list and in an instance where there may be errors contained in the voters’ list, because I know that independent oversight will help to verify the accuracy of the voter registers and would ensure transparency in the process and also it will help to build the public confidence that every eligible voter can participate fairly and that the results really reflect the will of the people,” she said, warning: “I’m curious to know who the independent person would be, but that is my take on it, just to ensure that they have no relationship at all with the prime minister. That will ensure that this election will not be boycotted in any form or fashion.”

Goodridge added that several of her party’s candidates had reported constituents struggling to locate their names on the list.

“There were a lot of concerns where people were saying that the elections seem rushed and persons are not finding their names on the list. We are actually waiting to hear something else from the PM to reassure us that everything is being dealt with on a professional level,” she said.

Democratic Labour Party leader and St John contestant Ralph Thorne had previously called for an election delay under the Representation of the People Act. Thorne argued that the early election call left insufficient time for the EBC to finalise the voters’ register, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters. 

Prime Minister Mottley, however, has consistently rejected these claims. She defended the register, which was published on January 15, insisting it complies fully with the law. The prime minister urged Barbadians to check and update their information while stressing the EBC’s independence and dismissing allegations of partisan manipulation.