USA / GRENADA – The Organization of American States (OAS) will observe the June 23 general elections in Grenada, following an agreement signed by the secretary-general of the hemispheric institution, Luis Almagro, and the permanent representative of the Caribbean country, Yolande Smith, within the framework of the IX Summit of the Americas, which is taking place in Los Angeles.
Secretary-General Almagro recalled that this is the eighth OAS mission to Grenada and highlighted the democratic values of the Caribbean country. “The agreement we are signing today is an indispensable tool for the Mission to fulfill its functions. I congratulate you, Ambassador Smith and your government, for your democratic conviction and for the openness shown in inviting an Electoral Observation Mission for the upcoming general elections.”
For her part, ambassador Smith indicated that sending the Mission guarantees “transparency” to the electoral process in Grenada because “organizations such as the OAS advocate for democracy and the strengthening of our institutions within the hemisphere.”
“Today is a great day for us here at the Summit of the Americas, we know that one of the issues is democracy and the OAS is playing a very, very strong role in its defense and we are very grateful,” added the Caribbean diplomat.
The chief of Mission will be Dr Rosina Wiltshire, an international expert in development and gender equality who was previously UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).