With Barbados’ February 11 general election approaching, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne has raised serious concerns about electoral integrity, alleging multiple irregularities in the national voters’ list. During his candidacy nomination at The Lodge School, Thorne warned that these issues could potentially disenfranchise eligible voters despite voting being a constitutional right for all Barbadians over 18.
Thorne presented several specific cases including deceased individuals remaining on the register, eligible voters missing from the list, and the removal of DLP candidate Ensley Grainger from the St Michael East constituency. He further noted that one of late Prime Minister David Thompson’s children had been omitted from the voting register entirely.
The opposition leader expressed particular concern about the functioning of the independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC), citing irregular meeting patterns and a recently cancelled session without explanation. Thorne characterized this as “wrong and suspicious behavior” that undermines public confidence in the electoral process.
Thorne emphasized that the DLP’s concerns transcend political interests, focusing instead on the fundamental democratic rights of all citizens. The party has threatened legal action to protect voter rights and is closely monitoring the EBC’s upcoming meetings. Thorne urged the commission to extend deadlines for voter registration updates, stating that Monday’s cutoff “was not sacred” and that all eligible voters—whether in Barbados or overseas—must have adequate opportunity to participate.
The DLP leader announced that his party would provide updates following the commission’s reconvened meeting, asserting that “if it is one person who is disenfranchised, that is one too many.” He stressed that “the rights of one person are as sacred as the rights of 50,000 persons, and that one person, if denied, democracy has suffered injustice.”