Barbados to elect a new gov’t on May 24

Voters in Barbados will go to the polls to elect a new government on May 24.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart revealed the date in a brief statement released by the Government Information Service (GIS) this morning.
He also said Nomination Day would be May 7, and that he had officially notified Governor General Dame Sandra Mason of both dates.

The announcement came 7 weeks after the country’s parliament was dissolved – March 6 – which was 5 years after it first met following the February 21, 2013 general election.

Mia Mottley and her opposition Barbados Labor Party (BLP) had been clamoring for Prime Minister Stuart to announce the election date, as it declared it was ready to take over the reins of government.

Under the island-nation’s constitution, the election would have had to be held by June 6.

The ruling Democratic Labor Party (DLP), which is seeking a 3rd consecutive term in office, will be challenged by the BLP along with 5 new political parties in the upcoming polls including: The United Progressive Party; Solutions Barbados; Barbados Integrity Movement; The People’s Democratic Movement; and the Bajan Free Party (a coalition involving the Kingdom Government Party and the People’s Democratic Congress).