The international team that carried out an independent election observation mission for Montserrat’s general elections in October 2024 has published their final report. They concluded that well-trained staff made sure polling went smoothly on election day and the counting of ballots was carried out with a high level of professionalism. The election campaign was “lively, competitive, and peaceful,” and an innovative mobile polling station enabled vulnerable groups to vote in a dignified and accessible manner. 

Read: Montserrat 2024 Election Observation Mission Final Report

However, the mission recommended reviewing the eligibility criteria to stand for election and suggested mechanisms should be in place to verify this eligibility. The mission also said that the terms ‘domicile’ and ‘resident’ should be defined in law to clarify who is eligible to vote, whilst the lack of any regulation around campaign finance was identified as undermining transparency and accountability in the electoral process. These areas for consideration are included in the 15 recommendations highlighted in the mission’s report. 

The election observation mission was an independent, impartial, and international team organised by the British Islands and Mediterranean Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The Montserrat government, together with the official opposition supported the mission which was formally invited to Monserrat by the Governor, as the representative of the head of state. The mission’s remit was to assess the elections against international standards, commitments, and obligations, as well as domestic laws. 

Shortly after election day, the Head of Mission, Hon. Shellya Rogers-Webster MHA from Anguilla, said,

“It has been a privilege to observe Montserrat’s general elections take place in a peaceful, competitive, and transparent manner. We witnessed many individuals go ‘above and beyond’ in their public service to their country, ensuring election day went smoothly. This election saw the successful introduction of a mobile polling station and an increase in voter turnout.” 

The mission’s full report is publicly available. A preliminary statement was published a few days after election day. 

Election Observation Missions

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

Since 2011, CPA BIMR has organised election observer missions in UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. This is the third mission to Montserrat that has been undertaken by CPA BIMR (2014 and 2019).