The CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) has called for the adoption of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.
According to a COFCOR release on Monday, this statement was made at its 23rd meeting which was held virtually May 7-8. The Council stated that it recognises the importance of CARICOM Election Observation Missions (CEOMS) in promoting and maintaining the Community’s democratic values.
COFCOR has noted the challenges that currently exist in assembling missions and is examining ways in which the process could be improved, the release added.
The importance of such missions has been underlined in the case of Guyana’s ongoing elections crisis. CARICOM sent observers prior to polling day and is now engaged in scrutinizing the recount process.