Even as the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) protests the result of Wednesday’s general elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) has congratulated the nation on what it described as “successful elections.”
In a preliminary report, the EOM on Thursday underscored the “civic spirit of the population shown in peaceful and successful elections.
“The Mission congratulated the country on the process, and applauded the work of presiding officers, poll clerks, party agents and police in particular,” the statement said.
The EOM, however, recommended efforts to promote women’s participation, the implementation of a continuous update of the voter’s list, and the implementation of campaign finance regulations, among other issues.
The Chief of Mission, Jacinth Henry-Martin, former St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the OAS, presented the preliminary report and added that “I want to particularly compliment the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the civic mindedness exhibited on Dec. 9.
“In that same vein, I would urge that the established electoral procedures be utilized to address any differences or disputes that may arise,” she said.
The EOM comprised 13 observers from 10 countries, who observed electoral processes in 14 of the country’s 15 constituencies, visiting 74 percent of the voting sites in the country.
