OAS to observe elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines
WASHINGTON, USA -- The Organization of American States (OAS) and the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday signed an agreement for an electoral observation mission to follow the general elections to be held in that country on December 13.
During a signing ceremony held at OAS headquarters in Washington DC, Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin stressed that electoral observation missions "are very important for the OAS, since they are an integral part of the political history of any country.”
Ramdin also noted the Organization’s willingness to support St Vincent and the Grenadines, not only in the electoral process but in the implementation of recommendations presented by the mission.
"We hope that political leaders in the country will demonstrate, as they have done in the past, a clear commitment to democracy and behave responsibly, so that we have a peaceful electoral process," he said.
The permanent representative of St Vincent and the Grenadines, La Celia Prince, highlighted the presence of the OAS in all of the electoral processes her country has had, including the only referendum it has held, in 2009.
"It is very important for us to have the OAS presence, because it is recognized not only in our country and the Caribbean, but throughout the hemisphere as a credible source of elections monitoring, which will give a stronger validity and recognition to the elections,” she said.
The ceremony was also attended by the chiefs of the mission appointed by the secretary general -- Ambassador Frank Almaguer and Specialist Steven Griner of the OAS General Secretariat -- who will lead a team of eleven observers from seven different countries. (Caribbean News Now)
During a signing ceremony held at OAS headquarters in Washington DC, Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin stressed that electoral observation missions "are very important for the OAS, since they are an integral part of the political history of any country.”
Ramdin also noted the Organization’s willingness to support St Vincent and the Grenadines, not only in the electoral process but in the implementation of recommendations presented by the mission.
"We hope that political leaders in the country will demonstrate, as they have done in the past, a clear commitment to democracy and behave responsibly, so that we have a peaceful electoral process," he said.
The permanent representative of St Vincent and the Grenadines, La Celia Prince, highlighted the presence of the OAS in all of the electoral processes her country has had, including the only referendum it has held, in 2009.
"It is very important for us to have the OAS presence, because it is recognized not only in our country and the Caribbean, but throughout the hemisphere as a credible source of elections monitoring, which will give a stronger validity and recognition to the elections,” she said.
The ceremony was also attended by the chiefs of the mission appointed by the secretary general -- Ambassador Frank Almaguer and Specialist Steven Griner of the OAS General Secretariat -- who will lead a team of eleven observers from seven different countries. (Caribbean News Now)
posted by Karl Eklund at 10:47 AM
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