OAS to observe Nov. 5 General elections in Grenada

The Washington, D.C.-based Organization of American States (OAS) says it has signed an agreement on “the privileges and immunities” of its Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) with the Government of Grenada to observe the Nov. 5 General Elections in Grenada. The OAS said the agreement was signed on Friday, Oct. 23, by OAS Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin and the Permanent Representative of Grenada to the OAS, Ambassador Tarlie Francis, during a ceremony at OAS headquarters.  Ramdin highlighted Grenada's commitment to democracy and the strength of its electoral processes, the OAS said.  “It is not the size of the country that matters, but the quality of its elections and the value they hold for its people,” said Ramdin, noting that the Mission will present a report containing observations and recommendations “aimed at further strengthening the Caribbean nation's democratic institutions and processes.”  The OAS said Ambassador Francis “reaffirmed his country's commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and electoral transparency.” “Independent electoral observation has become a very important part of the inter-American democratic tradition,” Francis said. “Its value lies in the impartiality of the observers, the integrity of their assessments, and the opportunities their findings provide for institutional learning and continuous improvement,” Ambassador Francis added.  The OAS said the Mission will be led by former Ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis Sherry Tross.  The OAS said it has observed electoral processes in Grenada since 1984.  This will be the hemispheric body’s ninth Electoral Observation Mission to the country.