ARRIVAL STATEMENT | CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to the General Elections of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas

In response to an invitation by way of a letter dated 10 April 2026 from the Most Honourable Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, O.N., GCMG, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has deployed a twelve-member team to observe the General Elections scheduled for 12 May 2026.

The Mission is headed by Mr. Herman St. Helen, Chief Elections Officer of the Saint Lucia Electoral Department. The other members of the team include:

• Ms. Debra Hughes, Chairperson, Electoral Commission, Barbados (Deputy Chief of Mission);
• Mr. Alrick Daniel, Member of the Electoral Commission, Antigua and Barbuda:
• Ambassador Felix Gregoire, Chairman, Public Service Commission, Dominica;
• Ms. Therona Lashington, Assistant Supervisor of Elections, Grenada;
• Mr. Peterson Pierre-Louis, Secretary-General, Provisional Electoral Council, Haiti;
• Ms. Denese Coley-Hines, Regional Field Manager, Electoral Commission, Jamaica;
• Ms. Kadean Williams, Systems Supervisor, Electoral Commission, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and
• Mr. Cecil Valies, Member of the Independent Electoral Council of Suriname.

The CEOM is supported by the following CARICOM Secretariat Staff:

• Ms. Shae Alicia Lewis, Programme Manager, Community Relations;
• Mr. Cameron Clarke, Project Officer, Foreign and Community Relations; and
• Ms. Denise Morgan, Administrative Assistant, Foreign and Community Relations.

The Core Group, comprising the Chief of Mission, Deputy Chief of Mission, and the CARICOM Secretariat Support Staff, arrived in The Bahamas on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. The remaining members of the Mission will arrive in The Bahamas over the period 7-8 May 2026. The Mission is scheduled todepart between 14 and 15 May 2026.

While in The Bahamas, the Mission will undertake an impartial and comprehensive assessment of the conduct of the elections, as well as the pre-election and post-election environment. This will include the voting process on election day, the comportment of political actors, and the response to the outcome of the elections.

In the pre-election period, meetings are anticipated with a wide cross-section of stakeholders to assess the preparations for the upcoming general elections. To date, the CEOM has met with Ms. Shanta Emily Knowles, Commissioner of Police; representatives of various youth organisations; and members of the media fraternity. In the coming days, the team also expects to meet with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition; leaders of political parties; and independent candidates. Additionally, consultations are anticipated with the Parliamentary Registration Department and representatives from civil society and private and public sector groups.

On 12 May 2026, the team will observe the electoral process, including preparations for the start of the poll, opening of polling stations, casting of votes, closure of polling stations, counting of ballots, and preparation of the Statement of Poll.

Following the elections, the CEOM will issue a Preliminary Statement on its initial assessment of the electoral process and will subsequently prepare the Final Report of the CARICOM Election Observer Mission, to be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. This Report will be shared with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Parliamentary Registration Department. It will also be published on the CARICOM website.

The CARICOM Election Observation Mission welcomes this opportunity to support the democratic process in The Bahamas. The team expresses its appreciation for the warm welcome and cooperation received since its arrival.

HERMAN ST. HELEN, CHIEF OF MISSION

6 MAY 2026

CEOM with the Ms. Shanta Emily Knowles, Commissioner of Police and officers.