A brewing controversy over the integrity of Barbados’ electoral register has intensified as opposition leaders from multiple political factions raised serious concerns about its accuracy, potentially threatening public confidence in the upcoming elections. The dispute emerged following Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s announcement that CARICOM and Commonwealth observers had been invited to monitor the electoral process, a move intended to reinforce transparency.
Kemar Stuart, Political Leader of the New National Party (part of the People’s Coalition for Progress), revealed his personal experience with register inaccuracies, noting his own name had been temporarily removed from the voter list. “While my registration has been reinstated, numerous other Barbadians may not be listed correctly,” Stuart stated, emphasizing that structural issues include deceased individuals remaining registered, constituency transfer errors, and missing eligible voters.
Stuart clarified he wasn’t advocating for election postponement but insisted the government must address these concerns comprehensively. “They must demonstrate that all legal requirements have been met,” he asserted, highlighting how the early election call has compounded administrative challenges for the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC).
Echoing these concerns, Karina Goodridge, Political Leader of the Friends of Democracy, emphasized the critical need for independent oversight. “Independent verification would ensure transparency and confirm the accuracy of voter registers,” Goodridge noted, while cautioning that observers must have absolutely no connection to the Prime Minister to maintain credibility.
The Democratic Labour Party had previously called for an election delay under the Representation of the People Act, arguing the premature dissolution of parliament provided insufficient time for proper voter list preparation. Prime Minister Mottley has consistently defended the register’s integrity, maintaining that the January 15-published list fully complies with legal requirements and urging citizens to verify their registration details promptly.