CARICOM election observers say voters in Grenada were able to cast their ballots peacefully and without significant incident during the country’s Nov. 5 general elections.

In a preliminary statement released Saturday, the CARICOM Election Observation Mission said voting followed established procedures and ballot counting was orderly at the polling stations where it observed the process.

The 11-member mission included electoral experts from Antigua and Barbuda and seven other CARICOM countries. Its teams visited 282 polling stations across mainland Grenada and Carriacou, covering all 15 constituencies.

Observers reported that polling stations generally opened on time at 6 a.m., with staff, election materials and police officers in place. Voting proceeded peacefully, and polling workers were described as adequately trained, courteous and professional.

Staff assisted elderly voters and people with disabilities, while polling station marshals helped electors check voter lists and find their assigned voting locations.

The mission said voter turnout was steady at several stations during the morning and near closing time, with slower activity during the intervening hours. It did not provide an overall turnout figure.

Polls closed at 5 p.m. Voters still waiting in line were allowed to cast their ballots in accordance with established procedures.

At the locations where observers witnessed counting, ballot boxes were opened in the presence of polling agents, electors and observers, and ballots were counted according to the required procedures.

The mission also observed the Nov. 2 advance poll for members of the Royal Grenada Police Force and reported no significant issues.

Led by Herman St. Helen, the mission commended election workers, police, political parties, polling agents and voters for their conduct.

A final report containing detailed findings and recommendations will be submitted to CARICOM’s secretary-general in the coming weeks.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: CARICOM observers say Grenada elections peaceful and orderly.