Wikipedia

2023 Antiguan general election

General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 18 January 2023 to elect members of the House of Representatives. The Labour Party (ABLP) has held an absolute majority of 15 seats in the House of Representatives after the 2018 general election, with Gaston Browne remaining as prime minister. Browne initiated a constitutional referendum after the 2018 election, which was rejected by voters, and following the death of Elizabeth II in 2022, he announced his intention to organise a referendum for the transition of Antigua and Barbuda to a republican system. Besides ABLP, the United Progressive Party (UPP), Democratic National Alliance, Barbuda People's Movement (BPM), and three independent politicians filed candidacies for the 2023 general election.

2023 Antiguan general election
← 2018 18 January 2023 Next →
All 17 seats in the House of Representatives
9 seats needed for a majority
Turnout70.34 (Decrease 6.17pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Gaston Browne Harold Lovell Trevor Walker
Party ABLP UPP BPM
Last election 59.24%, 15 seats 37.09%, 1 seat 1.43%, 1 seat
Seats won 9 6 1
Seat change Decrease 6 Increase 5 Steady
Popular vote 20,052 19,267 624
Percentage 47.06% 45.22% 1.46%
Swing Decrease 12.18pp Increase 8.13pp Increase 0.03pp
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before election

Gaston Browne
ABLP

Subsequent Prime Minister

Gaston Browne
ABLP

During the election campaign, UPP proposed to raise the minimum wage and expressed support for small businesses, while ABLP pledged to construct more homes and open two polyclinics. ABLP retained its majority in the House of Representatives, although it won a reduced 9 seats, while UPP won 6 seats. Trevor Walker, the leader of the BPM, retained his seat in Barbuda, while Asot Michael, an independent politician and former member of ABLP, won his seat in the St. Peter constituency. Browne was sworn in for his third consecutive term as prime minister a day after the election.

Background

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The previous general election was held 15 months early before the scheduled date due to the outgoing prime minister, Gaston Browne, wanting to obtain enough support for the implementation of several projects, such as land reform, in 2019.[1][2] Browne retained his office, while his Labour Party (ABLP) increased its absolute majority in the House of Representatives.[3] The United Progressive Party (UPP) suffered defeat, with its leader, Harold Lovell, losing his seat.[4]

During the parliamentary term Browne attempted to modify the constitution to make the Caribbean Court of Justice the final court of appeal in the country in place of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.[5] This was however rejected in a referendum in November 2018.[6] Following the death of Elizabeth II in September 2022, Browne announced his intention to organise a referendum within three years regarding the transition to a republican system.[7][8]

Electoral system

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The 17 elected members of the House of Representatives were elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting; 16 of the seats were allocated for the island of Antigua and one for the island of Barbuda.[9] In December 2022, Browne announced that the election would be held on 18 January 2023.[10]

Political parties

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See also: List of political parties in Antigua and Barbuda

The table below lists political parties represented in the House of Representatives after the 2018 general election.[11]

Name Ideology Political position Leader 2018 result
Votes (%) Seats
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Paternalistic conservatism Centre-right Gaston Browne 59.24%
15 / 17
United Progressive Party Social democracy Centre-left Harold Lovell 37.09%
1 / 17
Barbuda People's Movement Social democracy
Barbudan nationalism[12] 		Centre-left to left-wing Trevor Walker 1.43%
1 / 17

Pre-election composition

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Party Seats
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party 15
United Progressive Party 1
Barbuda People's Movement 1
Source:[13]

Campaign

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United Progressive Party campaign rally at St. John's

UPP presented its election manifesto on 9 January 2023.[14] Lovell proposed a EC$10 per hour minimum wage and a 10% wage and salary increase for public servants, as well as support for a stable water supply and small businesses.[14] ABLP announced its manifesto on 10 January, proposing to construct more than 1,000 new homes, rebuild the sea landing in Barbuda and open two polyclinics.[15] Both parties also expressed support "for a greener Barbuda".[16] Lovell also declined to debate with Browne.[17] The ABLP branch office for the St. John's City East constituency was set on fire on 16 January.[18]

Carty Anderson, an independent politician formerly associated with UPP, filed his candidacy due to "continued neglect" of the citizens of the St. John's Rural West constituency.[19] Another independent, Gail Pero-Weston, campaigned on "creating a better political landscape rather than representing a single constituency".[20]

Candidates

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On 25 March 2022, the ABLP announced their official candidates.[21][22] New candidates from the Labour Party include Rawdon Turner replacing Asot Michael, Barbuda senator Knacyntar Nedd replacing Arthur Nibbs and senator Gail Christian replacing deputy speaker of the House Londell Benjamin.[21] The UPP nominated candidates in all constituencies except Barbuda.[22][23]

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) announced its candidates in April 2022.[22][24] DNA later announced that Avoy Knight and Tecla Thomas traded their constituencies, and that Stephen Richardson would be their candidate for the St. John's Rural West constituency.[25][26] Additionally, Moraine Knight was nominated for the St. John's City West constituency and Mario Thomas was nominated for the St. Phillip North constituency.[27][28] The Barbuda People's Movement (BPM), led by its representative Trevor Walker, announced that it would run in the Barbuda constituency.[29] Independent politicians Carty Anderson, Gail Pero-Weston, and Michael Asot filed to run in St. John's Rural West, St. John's Rural South, and St. Peter constituencies respectively.[29]

# Constituency ABLP UPP DNA BPM Independents
1
 St. John's City West Gaston Browne Alister Thomas Moraine Knight – –
2
 St. John's City East Melford Nicholas Harold Lovell Leon Smith
3
 St. John's City South Steadroy Benjamin Franz Chalver deFreitas Roland Timothy
4
 St. John's Rural West Gail Christian Lewis Richard Stephen Richardson Carty Anderson
5
 St. John's Rural South Daryll Mathew Gladys Potter Tecla Thomas Gail Pero-Weston
6
 St. John's Rural East Maria Browne Sean Bird Trevor Young –
7
 St. John's Rural North Charles Fernandez Pearl Quinn-Williams Louis Rivera
8
 St. Mary's North Molwyn Joseph Jonathan Joseph Kisean Joseph
9
 St. Mary's South Samantha Marshall Kelvin Simon Andrew Antonio
10
 All Saints East and St. Luke Colin James Jamale Pringle Avoy Knight
11
 All Saints West Michael Browne Anthony Smith Jr. Anthony Stuart
12
 St. George Dean Jonas Algernon Watts Kelton Dalso
13
 St. Peter Rawdon Turner Tevaughn Harriette Chaneil Imhoff Asot Michael
14
 St. Phillip North Robin Yearwood Alex Brown Mario Thomas –
15
 St. Phillip South Lennox Weston Sherfield Bowen Joanne Massiah
16
 St. Paul Chet Greene Cleon Athill Gameal Joyce
17
 Barbuda Knacyntar Nedd – – Trevor Walker

Results

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Voting stations were opened from 06:00 to 18:00, and there were 60,916 citizens in total that had the right to vote in the general election.[30][31] On 5 January 2023, it was announced that the Commonwealth Observer Group, headed by the former president of Seychelles, Danny Faure, would observe the election.[32] CARICOM, as well as the Organization of American States, also announced that it would observe over the election.[33][34] The Caribbean Development Research Services reported lower turnout in comparison with the previous general election.[35]

The Electoral Commission reported that ABLP won 9 seats in the election, while the UPP won 6 seats in total.[36][37] In Barbuda, BPM retained its seat while DNA did not win any, although Asot Michael, an independent politician, won his seat in the St. Peter constituency.[36] Lovell of UPP also failed to win his seat.[38]

 
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party20,05247.069–6
United Progressive Party19,26745.226+5
Barbuda People's Movement6241.4610
Democratic National Alliance4661.0900
Independents2,2025.171+1
Total42,611100.001717
Valid votes42,61199.44
Invalid/blank votes2380.56
Total votes42,849100.00
Registered voters/turnout60,91670.34
Source: Electoral Commission[39][40]

By constituency

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Constituency ABLP UPP DNA BPM Ind Total
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
All Saints East and St. Luke 1,047 36.00 1,799 61.86 52 1.7 2,908
All Saints West 1,461 41.20 2,022 57.02 44 1.2 3,546
Barbuda 456 42.22 624 57.77 1,080
St. George 2,005 47.46 2,146 50.80 54 1.27 4,224
St. John's City East 791 49.59 785 49.21 13 0.81 1,595
St. John's City South 889 63.18 495 35.18 11 0.78 1,407
St. John's City West 1,295 66.47 621 31.87 18 0.92 1,948
St. John's Rural East 1,770 53.73 1,460 44.32 48 1.45 3,294
St. John's Rural North 1,563 52.46 1,358 45.58 42 1.40 2,979
St. John's Rural South 1,424 56.04 1,074 42.26 11 0.43 19 0.74 2,541
St. John's Rural West 1,614 44.40 1,932 53.14 31 0.85 46 1.26 3,635
St. Mary's North 1,664 49.98 1,615 48.51 28 0.84 3,329
St. Mary's South 862 44.43 1,061 54.69 12 0.61 1,940
St. Paul 1,244 52.11 1,101 46.12 29 1.21 2,387
St. Peter 899 24.42 601 16.33 29 0.78 2,137 58.07 3,680
St. Phillip North 708 52.60 615 45.69 16 1.18 1,346
St. Phillip South 360 37.34 582 60.37 28 2.90 964
Total 20,052 47.13 19,207 45.15 460 1.08 624 1.47 2,202 5.18 42,849
Source: Electoral Commission[39][40]

Aftermath

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Local news outlets reported that ABLP won 9 seats and that it retained its majority in the House of Representatives.[41][42] Browne addressed his supporters shortly after the election and was congratulated by Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, the minister of foreign affairs of Cuba.[43][44] Joanne Massiah, the leader of the DNA, conceded the election, while Lovell resigned as the leader of UPP.[45][46][47] Browne was inaugurated into his third consecutive term in office on 19 January 2023.[41][48]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2018 Election Date Set For March 21". Antigua Observer Newspaper. 24 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda General Election Results 2018". Caribbean Elections. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  3. ^ "ABLP wins 2018 General Elections". Antigua Observer Newspaper. 22 March 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  4. ^ Handy, Gemma (6 March 2018). "Snap election in Antigua puts Barbuda's communal land ownership on the ballot". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. ^ "What you need to know for Referendum Day". Antigua Observer Newspaper. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  6. ^ "2018 Referendum Results". Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda Will Vote to Cut Ties With British Monarchy". Global Americans. 16 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda planning vote to become republic within three years, media report". Reuters. 11 September 2022. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda House of Representatives: Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  10. ^ "January 18 for general election in Antigua and Barbuda". The Gleaner. 19 December 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  11. ^ "General Elections 2018: Votes by Constituency". Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Barbuda's secession request goes to Parliament". Antigua News Room. 11 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Members of the House of Representatives 2018 – present". Caribbean Elections. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Antigua Election 2023: UPP unveils election manifesto". Loop News. 9 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  15. ^ Henry, George (12 January 2023). "Manifesto Highlights: Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party shares investments in last eight years". Writeups 24. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  16. ^ Emanuel, Robert A. (11 January 2023). "Two main political parties unveil plans for a 'greener' Barbuda". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  17. ^ Henry, George (7 January 2023). "Antigua and Barbuda: UPP Leader Harold Lovell says no to publicly debate with PM Gaston Browne". Writeups 24. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  18. ^ De Shong, Dillon (16 January 2023). "Antigua Election 2023: Arsonists set fire to ABLP campaign office". Loop News. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  19. ^ Bique-Charles, Shermain (12 January 2023). "'I see the struggles of my people every day': Independent candidate Carty ready to represent Rural West in Parliament". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  20. ^ Emmanuel, Robert A. (3 January 2023). "Independent candidate Gail Pero-Weston wants to see a better political landscape". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  21. ^ a b "ABLP's approved slate for the 2022/23 polls". Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. 25 March 2022. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  22. ^ a b c "List of nominated candidates for General Elections 2023" (PDF). Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission. 29 December 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  23. ^ "The candidates". United Progressive Party. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  24. ^ "DNA unveils full slate of candidates for next general election; Massiah talks up 'unblemished' record". Antigua Observer. 20 April 2022. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  25. ^ "DNA Announces Constituency Change". Democratic National Alliance. 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  26. ^ "DNA Announces New Candidate in Rural West". Democratic National Alliance. 3 November 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  27. ^ "DNA Replaces Candidate for St. John's City West Constituency". Democratic National Alliance. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  28. ^ "DNA Replaces Candidate for St. Phillip's North Constituency". Democratic National Alliance. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  29. ^ a b "List of Candidates Nominated for the January 18th 2023 Elections". Antigua News Room. 29 December 2022. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  30. ^ Michael, Vivian (18 January 2023). "Voters head to the polls today to elect new government". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda Election Basics". Caribbean Elections. 18 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Commonwealth team to observe Antigua and Barbuda's 2023 general election". Commonwealth. 5 January 2023. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  33. ^ Ferrer Fonte, Ileana (11 January 2023). "CARICOM sends election observation mission to Antigua and Barbuda". Prensa Latina. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  34. ^ "OAS to Observe General Elections in Antigua and Barbuda". Organization of American States. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Low Turnout as Polls Close in Antigua and Barbuda General Elections". Nationwide 90FM. 18 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  36. ^ a b Thomas, Latrishka (19 January 2023). "ABLP narrowly escapes defeat in Antigua and Barbuda Election". Loop News. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  37. ^ Ellsworth, Brian (19 January 2023). "Antigua and Barbuda PM Browne secures third term in general elections". Reuters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  38. ^ Clarke, Sherrylyn (19 January 2023). "Third term for Gaston Browne". Nation News. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  39. ^ a b "Voting results".
  40. ^ a b "Declaration of Results 2023 General Elections from ABEC". Antigua News Room. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  41. ^ a b "BREAKING: ABLP retains government by slim majority". Antigua News Room. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Gaston Browne re-elected as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda". Loop News. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  43. ^ "Gaston Browne comfortably retains seat". Nation News. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  44. ^ "PM Browne addresses supporters following election victory". Antigua News Room. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  45. ^ "DNA President Concession Speech". Antigua News Room. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  46. ^ Wilkinson, Bert (19 January 2023). "PM Browne wins again…just – Caribbean Life". Caribbean Life. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  47. ^ "Harold Lovell steps down as UPP leader a day after Party lost general elections". WIC News. 20 January 2023. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  48. ^ Wong, Melissa (19 January 2023). "Gaston Browne sworn in as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda". Loop News. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
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