(Commonwealth)_ Commonwealth observers have been deployed across Trinidad and Tobago as the country holds a snap parliamentary election, marking a significant moment in the nation’s political history. This election comes as Trinidad and Tobago celebrates the 100th anniversary of its first parliamentary election held in 1925. A total of 17 political parties and three independent candidates are vying for 41 seats in the House of Representatives. With 1,134,135 eligible voters registered, the election process has attracted both domestic and international attention, with the Commonwealth Observer Group overseeing the proceedings.
This election marks the first time the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has redrew the boundaries for 16 constituencies and renamed five others. These changes are part of the regular process to ensure the electoral map reflects population shifts and other demographic factors. In addition to the standard voting process, special polling was held from 21 April to 27 April, allowing specific groups, such as polling day staff, police officers, offshore workers, and prisoners on remand, to cast their ballots in advance. Commonwealth observers were present during the special voting period to ensure the integrity of the process.
Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m., with election results expected after the completion of the vote counting and tabulation process. Voters in Trinidad and Tobago participate in a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate who receives the most votes in each of the 41 constituencies wins the seat. The party that secures a majority of the seats will form the government, and its leader will become the next Prime Minister.
Trinidad and Tobago’s democracy is under close watch as the Commonwealth Observer Group plays an essential role in ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election. Led by Hon. Evarist Bartolo, the former Foreign Affairs Minister of Malta, the observer group has been monitoring the election from the early stages. Bartolo and other observers have visited polling stations across the country, including one at the Queens Royal College, to assess the voting process firsthand. The observers have praised the commitment of Trinidad and Tobago to democratic principles and noted the warm reception from local stakeholders throughout their visit.
The election is a significant event for the nation, as it represents the continued evolution of Trinidad and Tobago’s democratic system. Voter turnout has been steady, with many early-rising voters already in line before the polls opened. Registered voters, who must be at least 18 years old, reside in their electoral district for at least two months before the election and are citizens of Trinidad and Tobago or Commonwealth citizens with at least one year of residency, are eligible to vote.
The Commonwealth Observer Group includes members from various countries, bringing diverse expertise to the election process. The group’s members come from across the Commonwealth, with notable representatives such as Mr. Ian Michael Anthony, former Chief Elections Officer of Dominica; Ms. Nazima Raghubir, a journalist from Guyana; Mr. Orrette Tyndale Fisher, an election management expert from Jamaica; Mr. Aiman Rasheed, Deputy Program Director of the International Republican Institute from the Maldives; and Ms. Winnie Anna Kiap, Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation from Papua New Guinea. This diverse team of experts will ensure that the election is scrutinized from multiple perspectives and that all aspects of the voting process are observed.
As the election continues, the focus remains on maintaining a peaceful, transparent, and credible outcome that all citizens can be proud of. The election process has been described as a celebration of democracy, providing an opportunity for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to express their political preferences in a fair and free environment. The observers will continue to monitor the situation and provide an interim statement on the election’s progress and integrity.
The election results are expected to be announced shortly after the completion of the vote counting process. The outcome will determine the next government and set the direction for Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape in the coming years. The presence of the Commonwealth Observer Group underscores the importance of a free and fair electoral process, and their final report will provide a comprehensive assessment of the election’s conduct.
