Prime Minister Stuart Young SC has assured the public that measures are in place to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process on April 28th.
Following concerns raised by the Opposition regarding electoral transparency, he revealed at Thursday’s Post Cabinet Media Briefing that formal invitations have already been extended to international observer bodies.
“I have also today instructed the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Dr. Browne to prepare for my dispatch a letter to the Carter Center, asking that the Carter Center also assist in the observation of our elections.”
As it pertains to regional support, Prime Minister Young said his predecessor Dr. Keith Rowley wrote to the Secretary-General of CARICOM last year, formally inviting an Observation Mission for the 2025 General Elections. He said CARICOM responded on January 13th, 2025, indicating their readiness to send a team once the election date was confirmed.
With the date announced, Prime Minister Young said the Government has followed up with a diplomatic note on March 19th, reaffirming the invitation.
He also dismissed statements from the Opposition regarding CARICOM’s credibility.
“I have seen that the Leader of the Opposition has put very spurious challenges to the body that is CARICOM. I want to state very firmly here, from this platform, on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago is a member of CARICOM, we are not only a proud member of CARICOM but we will continue to be at the forefront of the defense of CARICOM.”
Mr. Young said CARICOM has played a key role in strengthening our region globally, and his administration will continue to support its efforts.
“It would do us well to recall Trinidad and Tobago what had happened by 2014-2015 with the disrespect from Trinidad and Tobago to our CARICOM brothers and sisters, and how Trinidad and Tobago was then perceived as a member of CARICOM by 2015. And it is this Government that not only restored that relationship with CARICOM, countries such as Jamaica and others, but have built a leadership platform and I intend to continue that.”
The Prime Minister added that an official letter was sent to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, requesting that the Commonwealth Secretariat send an observer team.