Electoral Audit Proposals for Barbados
Comprehensive proposals for the Electoral and Boundaries Commission to improve voter list cleaning processes and restore electoral credibility
Background & Justification
The 2026 General Election in Barbados highlighted significant concerns regarding the accuracy and integrity of the voters' list. The CARICOM Election Observation Mission formally recommended that the Electoral and Boundaries Commission review its enumeration and registration processes to enhance voter list management.
Many long-standing and newly eligible voters discovered their names were not on the official list at their polling stations, disenfranchising them from the electoral process.
Concerns were raised about the continued presence of deceased individuals on the voters' list.
The process for updating and cleaning the list was perceived as opaque, leading to a lack of trust in the final register.
The final voters' list was published very close to the election date, leaving inadequate time for public scrutiny and correction of errors.
Three Proposal Options
Each proposal offers a different balance of independence, cost, and internal capacity building. The EBC can select the approach that best aligns with its objectives and resources.
Lead
An independent, external body (e.g., International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), a specialized consultancy, or a team of international experts).
Methodology
Full adherence to international best practices for voter list audits. Includes a deep dive into data, processes, and technology.
Lead
A joint committee composed of senior EBC officials and independent external auditors.
Methodology
A collaborative approach where EBC staff work alongside external experts to conduct the audit, following agreed-upon international standards.
Lead
A special audit task force established within the EBC.
Methodology
The internal team conducts the audit following a pre-defined, publicly available methodology based on international standards. An observer group comprising representatives from political parties, civil society, and international bodies (like CARICOM or the Commonwealth) would have full access to the process.
Common Audit Methodology
Regardless of the proposal chosen, the core audit methodology follows these five key phases, grounded in international best practices.
Expected Deliverables
Comprehensive Audit Report
- • Executive summary of key findings and recommendations
- • Detailed analysis of the state of the voters' list
- • Assessment of EBC's list maintenance processes
- • Prioritized, actionable recommendations
- • Implementation roadmap
- • Revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for voter list management
- • Recommendations for legal or regulatory reforms
- • Training materials for EBC staff on new procedures