PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL A LATER DATE. 

The first elections under universal suffrage in the English-speaking Caribbean were held in 1944 in Jamaica. Since then there have been approximately 130 general elections in the region. While this represents a record generally of free and fair elections, issues have arisen that have put pressure on their relatively recent independent systems of government.

Elections in Guyana have been controversial throughout its electoral history. Elections in Grenada were suspended between 1979 and 1984 during the period of the revolution. Elections in Jamaica were boycotted by the opposition in 1983 leading to a one-party parliament up to 1989. Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda have also seen elections that were controversial.

Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles of the University of the West Indies will provide an overview of the development of electoral systems in the region, with a focus on where shortcomings have been observed and what forms of international cooperation might assist in the future.

The recent election process in Guyana was fraught with difficulties. CIC National Capital Branch President Elizabeth Kingston was a participant in the Carter Centre Election Observation Team in the country and will provide insights on the process and opportunities for international cooperation.

Panelists

• Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Senior Lecturer in Political Science, UWI, Cave Hill; Election Monitoring and Expert Groups in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
• Elizabeth Kingston, Canadian International Council – National Capital Branch – President; Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
• Jean-Pierre Kingsley | Jean-Pierre Kingsley was Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer from 1990 to 2007

This event is organized by the Canadian International Council (CIC) National Capital and Hamilton Branches in partnership with the Canada Caribbean Institute (Brock University and University of the West Indies).

To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/caribbean-elections-reflections-on-guyana-beyond-tickets-128965448127