Regional General Election Watch
October 29, 2021
Most countries of the English-speaking Caribbean are Westminster-type democracies, indicating that they were former British colonies whose Constitutions entrust the setting the date of General Elections in the sole hands of their heads of government. Thus, while a term limit of approximately five years is generally specified in their various constitutions, a head of government may, at his or her discretion, “dissolve” parliament and schedule general elections at any time within that five-year limit. This presents a clear challenge to potential debate-organizing bodies within the civil society community who are minded to push for debates between candidates vying for political office. Those would-be organizers, like the general public, may be caught off-guard when “snap elections” are called.
On the other hand, the neighbouring CARIFORUM states of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Suriname have fixed election dates, although, as has been the case in Haiti in recent years, elections at times do not, for a variety of reasons, always take place on the scheduled dates.
Based on the most recent General Elections/Presidential Elections, set out below the tentative listing indicating when the next general elections are due within the region (as at end-October 2021). Political debates, conducted by independent organizers, took place ahead of the most recent elections, in Belize, Haiti, Jamaica, Aruba, and Curacao.
|
Selected Caribbean Countries and Dependencies |
Most Recent General Elections |
Next elections to take place by: |
|
Antigua & Barbuda |
March 21, 2018 |
May 2023 |
|
The Bahamas |
September 16, 2021 |
November 2026 |
|
Barbados |
May 24, 2018 |
July 2023 |
|
Belize |
November 11, 2020 |
January 2026 |
|
Dominica |
December 6, 2019 |
March 2024 |
|
Dominican Republic |
July 5, 2020 |
2024 |
|
Grenada |
March 13, 2018 |
May 2023 |
|
Guyana |
March 2, 2020 |
May 2025 |
|
Haiti |
November 20, 2016 |
Uncertain |
|
Jamaica |
September 3, 2020 |
November 2025 |
|
Montserrat |
November 18, 2019 |
February 2024 |
|
St. Kitts & Nevis |
June 5, 2020 |
August 2025 |
|
St. Lucia |
July 26, 2021 |
November 2026 |
|
St. Vincent & the Grenadines |
November 5, 2020 |
February 2026 |
|
Suriname |
May 25, 2020 |
May 2025 |
|
Trinidad & Tobago |
August 10, 2020 |
October 2025 |
|
Turks & Caicos |
February 19, 2021 |
During 2025 |
|
Aruba |
June 25, 2021 |
During 2025 |
|
Curacao |
March 19, 2021 |
During 2025 |