Anguilla Elects First Woman as Head of Government

Governor Julia Crouch has confirmed the official results of Wednesday’s general election, announcing that Cora Richardson-Hodge will become the first woman to lead a government in Anguilla.

Crouch stated that the results, provided by Supervisor of Elections Rodney Rey, indicate that the main opposition party, the Anguilla United Front (AUF), has secured victory in the polls.

“In accordance with Section 24(1) of the Anguilla Constitution Order, I will appoint Ms. Cora Richardson-Hodge as Premier of Anguilla. On the advice of the Premier, I will also appoint Ministers of the Crown and a Parliamentary Secretary,” Crouch said in a statement.

She added that the Premier will provide guidance on the assignment of specific portfolio responsibilities to individual ministers in due course.

The AUF won eight of the 11 contested parliamentary seats, while the outgoing Anguilla Progressive Movement, led by Premier Ellis L. Webster, secured the remaining three. Webster was among the victorious candidates for his party.

Approximately 12,432 registered voters were eligible to participate in the election, with 34 candidates competing for 11 of the 13 seats in the House of Assembly. The remaining two seats are designated for non-elected members.

The 11 contested seats are determined by direct voting. Seven members are elected from single-member constituencies through a first-past-the-post system, while the remaining four seats are assigned to “at-large” candidates, elected island-wide through a plurality voting system.

Voters were allowed to select up to four candidates for the at-large seats. A total of seven seats is required for a parliamentary majority.