Saint Lucia has a new Chief Elections Officer – Herman St. Helen, who officially took up the post on October 1, 2024.
With a deep commitment to transparency and a history of public service, St. Helen hopes to uphold the integrity of Saint Lucia’s election system and its standards.
“It’s a privilege to be appointed Chief Elections Officer. I intend to do my very best to bring a number of initiatives to the table,” St. Helen told St. Lucia Times.
The former Customs and Excise Department Comptroller brings extensive electoral experience to his new role, having served in various capacities, including presiding officer and returning officer.
St. Helen’s plans for his new job are multifaceted, with a strong emphasis on maintaining and enhancing the electoral department’s reputation for impartiality and efficiency.
“Me coming on board at this stage does not mean that things should not go as they ought to, because this department has had a history of organising free, fair, and transparent elections. I intend to do nothing less,” the new Chief Elections Officer stated.
Acknowledging the high standards already set, he is committed to raising them further, ensuring Saint Lucia remains a regional leader in electoral transparency.
One of St. Helen’s key goals is to improve the management and morale within the Electoral Department. “There is an issue with staff morale,” he noted, “I’m hoping to get my staff more trained and prepared so that we can deliver an election where there’ll be no doubts.”
He explained that the focus on staff development will include training in election management and a comprehensive understanding of the laws and regulations governing Saint Lucia elections.
Public outreach is another critical area on St. Helen’s agenda. He plans to disseminate information about the Electoral Department’s apolitical role in the electoral process.
“We need to inform the public of the whole role that this department plays in elections. It does not mean that an employee cannot have his or her personal preference,” he told St. Lucia Times.
St. Helen also intends to initiate an islandwide registration and verification exercise in December to address the issues of ID cards and ensure that citizens are registered and ready for the 2026 elections.
“It’s our intention to have offices operating in Dennery, Vieux Fort, Soufriere, and in the north,” he said, indicating a plan for field offices across the island to ensure accessibility for all citizens, especially those in remote areas.
While St. Helen acknowledges the challenges ahead, he remains steadfast. “It’s challenging times, yes, but the department must respond to the challenges in the best way possible. We need to ensure that we are ready when the elections are called,” he stated.
