At the official invitation of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) organized a six-person international election observation mission led by CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett to oversee the country’s 30 April 2026 general election. The mission brought together seasoned electoral experts from six CARICOM member states: Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. According to the mission’s deployment schedule, the chief of the observer team and all other members arrived in Antigua and Barbuda in phases between 23 April and 27 April 2026, with their departure scheduled for 3 May 2026.
Prior to election day, the mission held extensive consultations with a diverse cross-section of Antiguan and Barbudan stakeholders, spanning civil society groups, political actors, and electoral administrators. On the day of voting, mission observers deployed across 16 of the country’s 17 electoral constituencies, accessing 182 of the nation’s 185 total polling stations to monitor every stage of the electoral process. Observers arrived at their assigned polling locations well before opening time to document the pre-voting preparations.
The mission’s on-site observations identified multiple strengths of the electoral process. All polling sites were secured by adequate, professional police presence, all required election materials arrived on schedule, and every polling station had two accredited polling agents from each competing political party in attendance as mandated. Required voter notices and procedural instructions were clearly posted at all sites, and polling staff followed all official opening protocols step-by-step. As a result, every polling station opened promptly at 6:00 a.m., and voters were able to cast their ballots in an atmosphere of calm and order, with lines of voters already waiting when observers arrived at many sites.
During the voting period, mission observers confirmed that voter rolls were clearly displayed in prominent locations for electors to verify their registration details. Information clerks were on hand at all visited stations to assist voters with checking their registration and directing them to the correct voting booths. Polling staff demonstrated solid training, professional courtesy, and a consistent commitment to impartiality, going out of their way to support elderly and disabled voters needing assistance. Voter turnout followed an expected pattern, with peak participation in the early morning and in the final hours before polls closed, and a predictable lull in voting through the midday period. Throughout the entire voting day, staff maintained consistent focus on their duties, ensuring that all eligible voters were able to exercise their right to vote in line with the Electoral Commission’s official guidelines.
Observers stayed at their assigned stations to monitor the closing of polls at 6:00 p.m. While most stations had no remaining lines of voters at closing time, any electors still waiting were permitted to cast their ballots in accordance with electoral regulations. The mission also observed post-closing procedures, including the sealing of ballot boxes and the secure transportation of ballots to central counting centers. At counting sites, observers documented that all counting procedures were followed as required: ballot boxes were opened in the presence of polling agents and other authorized observers, and ballots were counted per established protocol.
In its overall interim assessment, the CARICOM Election Observer Mission found that the 2026 Antigua and Barbuda general election allowed voters to exercise their democratic franchise in a peaceful, orderly process free of major disruptive incidents. The mission commended polling staff for their high level of professionalism and the national police force for their effective, impartial maintenance of law and order at polling sites, noting that security personnel interacted professionally with both voters and all other stakeholders. The mission extended formal congratulations to the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission for its competent administration of the entire electoral process, as well as to all competing political parties, their on-site agents, and supporters for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner throughout election day.
The observer team also expressed gratitude to CARICOM’s Secretary-General for extending the invitation to field the mission and providing the logistical and operational support needed for the team to fulfill its mandate, as well as to all individuals and organizations that met with mission members to share perspectives. This release represents the mission’s interim preliminary assessment; a comprehensive final report containing full findings and actionable recommendations will be submitted to CARICOM’s Secretary-General in the coming weeks. CARICOM reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to continuing to support Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic development and the country’s efforts to build a peaceful, unified, and prosperous future for all its citizens.
