BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Anglican Bishop of Barbados, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell, is calling on candidates contesting the February 11 general election to conduct their campaigns in a manner that “honours God and respects the dignity of every citizen, including those of the opposing political parties”.
Today is nomination day for the snap election that Prime Minister Mia Mottley of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) called for a second time within at least one year of the end of her five-year term in office.
Mottley led the BLP to landslide 30-0 victories in both the 2018 and 2022 general elections, defeating the main opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP). The DLP is led by King’s Counsel Ralph Thorne, who took over the party’s leadership in February 2024, less than a week after leaving the ruling BLP government.
The Bajan Free Party (BFP), the People’s Coalition for Progress (PCP), and the United Progressive Party (UPP) are expected to nominate candidates for the election.
In his letter addressed to “participants” in the elections, Bishop Maxwell said the political season invites each candidate and canvasser to reflect on the values that strengthen the country’s democracy and build up its communities.
“We encourage all involved in the electoral process to be virtuous, orderly, trustworthy, ethical, and sincere in their words and actions, as they seek the VOTES of our people,” he wrote, adding “to be virtuous is to walk in integrity, allowing truth and righteousness to guide every promise that is put forward or every position taken”.
He said scripture urges Barbadians to think on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure” and that to be orderly is to conduct the political meetings, gatherings, and canvassing with respect for law, community, and peace, remembering that “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way”.
He said to be trustworthy is to speak truthfully and act honourably, and that to be ethical is to stand “for fairness and justice, walking humbly with God as the prophet teaches”.
The head of the Anglican Church here said that to be sincere is to serve “with genuine care for the people, modelling the integrity described by Paul, who conducted himself “with godly sincerity.
“May this election season be peaceful, respectful, and marked by the kind of conduct that reflects the nation we hope to be. May your words be seasoned with grace, your actions reflect Christ’s love, and your presence in our communities be a sign of hope,” Bishop Maxwell wrote.
Political observers say, despite the presence of other political parties, the election is a straight fight between the BLP and the DLP, with the DLP urging Prime Minister Mottley to postpone the polls due to thousands of Barbadians who may not be able to vote because of inaccuracies in the electoral register.
Thorne had publicly raised concerns about the accuracy and readiness of the voters’ list and the preparedness of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC), prompting a response from Prime Minister Mottley defending the integrity of the electoral process.
The deadline for voter registration and transfers closed on Monday.
Election officials say they are fully prepared to conduct Tuesday’s Nomination Day, with Chief Electoral Officer Sherland Turton stating there are no lingering challenges.
“We needed to have the nomination centres in place, personnel to man the nomination centres, the police to be informed to be present on the day, to have the candidates aware of, and to collect their nomination packages,” Turton said.
Under the law governing elections, the President, acting on the advice of a minister (in this case, the Prime Minister or the Attorney General), may, following the dissolution of Parliament, delay polling day to allow time for the list to be corrected.
But speaking at a news conference, the BLP general secretary, Jerome Walcott, said the President has issued the writ, the date has been set, and the BLP is proceeding with its campaign as scheduled.
“The opposition parties have been calling for an election… you’re not ready, nd you cry,” he said.
“I don’t know. We’ll see how that goes, but as far as I’m concerned, the Barbados Labour Party, the election is on the 11th of February, and we are ready – red and ready,” he told reporters.
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