Elections Grenada: Voters cast ballots for Prime Minister Tillman Thomas National Democratic Congress and opposition New National Party

Voters in Grenada were voting Tuesday to elect a new government after a six week campaign in which both the ruling National Democratic Congress of incumbent Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and the main opposition New National Party told voters they were best suited to deal with the socio-economic problems of the island-nation.

Long lines formed outside some of the 239 polling stations scattered across the country that opened at 6:00 am (5:00 am EST) and will close 11 hours later. There are 45 candidates contesting the general elections.

Supervisor of Elections Judy Benoit told reporters that 62,146 people have been registered to vote in the elections in which Prime Minister Thomas is hoping to lead his National Democratic Congress into a second consecutive five year term in office against the Keith Mitchell’s New National party and three other small political parties including the National United Front, comprising mainly of former National Democratic Congress cabinet ministers.

“The biggest challenge could be someone turning up to vote without identification cards and not being able to be identified otherwise,” she told reporters, adding that she expects the results of the first seat to be declared to be known half an hour after the polls close.

The elections are being monitored by various national regional and international teams including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth. – (CMC)