At the invitation of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, an independent team of international experts will conduct a virtual Election Expert Mission to the TCI General Election from 10 – 23 February 2021.

The Mission will assess TCI’s General Election against international standards, commitments and obligations as well as domestic laws. It is organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR). CPA BIMR first conducted an election observation mission to TCI in 2012, followed by a second mission in 2016, which resulted in the publication of a report with 11 recommendations. As part of its forthcoming Mission, CPA BIMR will also consider whether these recommendations were taken forward.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team of experts will conduct the Mission virtually, using online research as well as interviews with a wide range of stakeholders utilising digital meeting platforms. This innovative adaptation of election observation methodology in these unprecedented circumstances has been applied successfully by CPA BIMR when assessing general elections in Anguilla and Guernsey in 2020.

Ahead of election day, the experts will virtually meet key stakeholders including electoral officials, candidates, voters and civil society groups to gain a better understanding of the electoral process and political context of the election.

About the Mission, CPA BIMR Regional Secretary Jon Davies says:

“We are delighted that the Turks and Caicos Islands has invited our team of international experts to assess its election for a third time. Having successfully delivered two Election Expert Missions virtually over the past year, the team is looking forward to engaging remotely with stakeholders in TCI. CPA BIMR is honoured to assist TCI in support of transparent and open democracy”

The Mission’s report, including recommendations, will be published within two months of the election.

Election Observation Missions

CPA UK acts as the secretariat to CPA British Islands & Mediterranean Region (BIMR), one of the nine regions of the CPA network, and is committed to strengthening democracy and good governance.

Since 2011, CPA BIMR has organised short-term Election Observer Missions (EOM) across five UK Overseas Territories including the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, Guernsey, and Cayman Islands. CPA UK has also overseen Election Assessment Missions (EAM) to the UK General Election in 2010, 2015 and 2017.