The results published by the CEP last night are preliminary and therefore not the final word on the outcome of the first round of the legislative and presidential elections. These results flow from the operations of the Vote Tabulation Centre where JEOM observers, as well as other international and national observers, were able to monitor closely the verification procedures undertaken in accordance with the Electoral Law. A number of tally sheets (procès verbaux des résultats) not in conformity with the Electoral Law and which were irregular or displayed evident signs of fraud were set aside and not tabulated in order to ensure the integrity of the preliminary results.

The Electoral Law provides several legal remedies during the claims and challenge process, which immediately follow the publication of the preliminary results. The JEOM reiterates its calls to the candidates and political parties to make prompt and full use of these legal recourses in order to address their respective grievances with regard to the preliminary results. The JEOM also calls on the CEP to ensure that these claims and challenges that are part of the contestation process are treated with the strictness, transparency and fairness they deserve in this difficult electoral environment where suspicions abound. The eventual outcome of the contestation phase will lead to the proclamation of the final results of the first round of the legislative and presidential elections on 20 December.

The Mission deplores the ongoing violent demonstrations which started last night following the publication of the results. Candidates and political leaders should urge their supporters to stay calm in order to create the peaceful environment necessary for a meaningful dialogue as well as to facilitate the constructive approach offered by the legal recourses of the Electoral Law which is an integral part of the Rule of Law.

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org