Source: Caribbean Life
Two neighbouring Eastern Caribbean nations are preparing to head to the polls before the end of the year — adding to what has become one of the busiest election years on record across the CARICOM region.
The latest to announce is St. Lucia, where Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre addressed the nation on Sunday evening, setting December 1st as the date for the next general election. Nomination Day is scheduled for November 21st, and the Parliament will be dissolved on Monday, November 10th.
Last month, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves named November 27th as the election date for his country. Parliament will also be dissolved this week.
At 79 years old, Dr Gonsalves — the region’s longest-serving head of government — is seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive five-year term as leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP), which currently holds nine of the 15 parliamentary seats. His main challenger, Godwin Friday, leads the New Democratic Party (NDP).
“It is now decision time for our free and democratic people, in free and fair elections, to choose between the ULP and the NDP,” Gonsalves declared, as polls suggest a closely contested race.
Meanwhile, in St. Lucia, Prime Minister Pierre said his administration is ready to seek a renewed mandate based on its record of delivery and stability.
“Confident that we have delivered on our promises and with the need to continue the normal business of government, I have advised the Governor General to dissolve Parliament on Monday, November 10th, and to issue writs for the general election,” Pierre said.
Pierre’s St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP), which currently controls 13 of 17 seats, will face off against the United Workers Party (UWP) led by former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet. “The bell has finally been rung. Freedom Day is December 1st — we are ready,” Chastanet posted on social media.
So far in 2025, elections have already been held in Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Belize, Anguilla, Curaçao, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. With these two new polls confirmed, St. Lucia and St. Vincent will close out a record-breaking year of democratic activity across the CARICOM bloc.