The Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has confirmed that it will be deploying a CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to Belize to officially observe the upcoming General Election scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
On November 4, 2020, the CARICOM Secretariat informed that Ms. Jeannette Sonia Charles of Antigua and Barbuda will head the Mission which includes another five electoral officials from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, and Suriname. Two CARICOM Secretariat Support Staff will also be supporting the team.
During their time in Belize, the members of the Mission are scheduled to meet virtually with electoral authorities, government officials, representatives of political parties, and other relevant stakeholders. The CEOM will observe the pre-election period and the election day activities including the opening of the polls through to tabulation and announcement of the results. In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the CEOM will observe health and safety protocols at all times.
The Government of Belize remains grateful to the CARICOM Secretariat and participating member states for their readiness to embark in the Mission, even amidst these challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane ETA, and looks forward to the successful conclusion of the Mission.
The members of the Mission are scheduled to arrive in Belize on Saturday, November 7th, and depart on Friday, November 13th.