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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Experts say General Election in Antigua and Barbuda reflected the will of the people

14 April 2004

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today welcomed the report of the independent Expert Team sent to observe the General Election in Antigua and Barbuda, which was held on 23 March. The Secretary-General said: "In their report, which is being released today, the Experts have determined that 'the election was credible and the result truly reflects the will of the people'. I congratulate the people of Antigua and Barbuda for this reaffirmation of the democratic tradition and reiterate our commitment to supporting the country's future democratic processes and development."

While finding the election credible, the Experts' report raises a number of issues affecting the overall election environment and the conduct of the poll on Election Day. These included the role of the media, the composition and role of the Electoral Commission, campaign financing and the need for voter education. The report also includes specific recommendations on how to address these issues.
The members of the Expert Team were:

Mr Arthur Donahoe QC
Team Leader
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and
former Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Canada

Ms Rita Seraphin
Former Chief Elections Officer
Dominica

Mr Kwesi Jonah
Head of the Governance Center at the Institute of Economic Affairs and Senior
Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Ghana
Ghana

The Team was asked by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to observe preparations for the elections, the polling, counting and results process and the overall electoral environment. The decision to send the Commonwealth Expert Team followed an invitation from the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda in early 2004.

Note to Editors:
The members of the Expert Team began work on 15 March 2004 and remained in Antigua and Barbuda until 28 March. The Secretary-General has sent their report to the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, the main political parties and Commonwealth Governments. The full text of the Report of the Expert Team is available on the Commonwealth Secretariat website http://www.thecommonwealth.org/ by following the Democracy link under the 'What we do' Section.
The Commonwealth sent a Commonwealth Observer Group for the 1999 General Election, and Expert Teams to observe the Voter Registration Process in July 2003, and the subsequent Claims and Objections Phase in September 2003.


The Report of the Expert Team can be downloaded here FinalReportOFTheCETAntiguaAndBarbuda

 

 

04/23 14 April 2004

 

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
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