Ian Hughes
Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian S. Hughes is leading a CARICOM election observation mission that has begun pre-election meetings in Saint Lucia ahead of the country’s December 1st general elections.
Hughes and his eleven-member team met Tuesday with Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet, the political leader of the United Workers Party, marking the start of stakeholder consultations.
In the coming days, the CARICOM Election Observation Mission is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who leads the Saint Lucia Labour Party, as well as members of the Electoral Commission, the Supervisor of Elections, and the Commissioner of Police. The team will also engage with other political actors, media, and civil society groups.
The mission comprises senior electoral officials from nine CARICOM member states, plus two CARICOM Secretariat staff providing logistical support. The team will be in Saint Lucia from November 24th through December 3rd.
Hughes and CARICOM Secretariat staff arrived on November 24th and 25th, with remaining observers expected by November 27th.
On election day, the team will observe preparations, voting, the closure of polling stations, ballot counting, and the declaration of results. They’ll also assess the post-election atmosphere.
The mission was deployed following an invitation from the Saint Lucia government dated November 11th, 2025.
A preliminary statement will be issued before the mission’s departure on December 3rd, with a detailed final report to follow. That report will be submitted to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and subsequently made public.
How do I get to be part of one of those missions
Regional cooperation like this is exactly what the Caribbean needs.
Regional cooperation like this is exactly what CARICOM was created for. Elections must not just be free and fair, but also seen to be free and fair.
The preliminary report will be telling. Observers have a tough job balancing diplomacy with honesty, but we need the truth about any concerns.
Observer missions like this help ensure transparency and reduce tensions during election periods
“CARICOM’s presence is important. Saint Lucia’s election is shaping up to be highly competitive, so oversight helps maintain confidence in the process
CARICOM’s presence is important. Saint Lucia’s election is shaping up to be highly competitive, so oversight helps maintain confidence in the process