Commonwealth deploys Pre-Electoral Assessment Mission to T&T

The Commonwealth Secretariat has agreed to deploy a Pre-Electoral Assessment Mission to Trinidad and Tobago. This decision is in response to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s request for regional and international observers to the September 7th Parliamentary Elections.

The Prime Minister indicated her desire for the presence of a technical team from the Commonwealth Observer Group when she met with Commonwealth Secretary-General, H.E. Kamalesh Sharma during 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Bridgetown earlier this month.

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar meets Comm. SG Kamlesh Sharma in Barbados

The Commonwealth Secretariat has confirmed that a three-member Observer Team will be dispatched for the period of July 22 to 26, 2015, in advance of the upcoming elections. The team comprises of:

1. Mr. Martin Kasirye, Adviser and Head, Electoral Support Section;
2. Ms. Sarah Linton, Political Officer, Caribbean and Pacific Section; and
3. Ms. Madonna Lynch, Programme Assistant

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has reiterated her commitment to the preservation and development of Trinidad and Tobago’s democracy and is determined to maintain the government’s history of integrity and transparency.

The Prime Minister, who was also the first female Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth, congratulated the Commonwealth Secretariat on celebrating 50 years since its establishment in 1965. She also recognised the institution’s enduring history and commitment and promotion of democracy, peace and cooperation, particularly in developing nations.

SOURCE (story and photo): Office of the Prime Minister, Trinidad & Tobago.