Antigua and Barbuda to hold general elections within 90 days

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that Antigua and Barbuda will hold general elections within the next 90 days, urging supporters of the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to prepare for an early poll.

Speaking on his weekly radio programme on Saturday, Browne called on party candidates and supporters to intensify their mobilisation efforts ahead of the vote.

“I have asked all of the Labour Party candidates who will contest the next general elections to utilise the next few weeks to go door-to-door and to get the people out to do the re-registration so that they can have their cards in time for the upcoming general election,” Browne said.

“So you know general elections are coming. I think it is known. So, I’m also appealing to the people of Antigua and Barbuda to do the responsible thing to get re-registered as soon as possible because yes, there will be general elections,” he told radio listeners.

Browne, who became the country’s first prime minister to be elected to three consecutive terms, said the timeline for the polls could be sooner rather than later.

“I would say within 90 days, and the earlier you go to get your card, the better.

“So I’m now announcing that general elections would take place within 90 days and I’m asking my colleagues in particular, the candidates of the Labour Party to go out on the road for the next three weeks in particular to make sure that we get our supporters registered,” he added.

The announcement follows recent political developments that analysts say may have strengthened the ABLP’s position. Last week, Barbados-based pollster Peter Wickham suggested Browne consider calling a snap election to capitalise on what he described as growing momentum for the ruling party.

That momentum follows the ABLP’s decisive victory in a by-election in the St. Philip North constituency, where candidate Randy Baltimore retained the seat long held by veteran politician Robin Yearwood, who recently retired from active politics.

Baltimore secured 924 votes, or approximately 69.5 per cent of ballots cast, defeating Alex Browne of the opposition United Progressive Party, who received 406 votes, or about 30.5 per cent. Voter turnout was estimated at 70 per cent.

The results also marked an improvement for the ABLP compared to the 2023 general election, when Yearwood won the same seat by a margin of fewer than 100 votes.

Wickham also weighed in on the state of the opposition, suggesting that UPP leader Jamale Pringle should consider stepping aside, citing a series of setbacks under his leadership. These include the loss of the St. Peter’s constituency, the departure of several candidates, and internal concerns within the party.

“The party should be allowed to decide in a special conference whether to stick with the current leadership or move on, especially with other candidates waiting in the wings,” Wickham said.

In the last general election held on January 18, 2023, the ABLP won nine of the 17 seats, while the UPP secured six. The Barbuda People’s Movement won one seat, and the remaining seat went to an independent candidate.

Subsequent political shifts altered that balance, including a by-election victory by UPP candidate Rawdon Turner following the murder of opposition legislator Asot Michael. Later, UPP legislator Anthony Smith crossed the floor to join the ABLP and was appointed Minister of Agriculture.