Elections in Barbados: Voters cast ballots for Prime Minister Freundel Stuart DLP and Opposition BLP

Opposition Leader Owen Arthur (l) and incumbent Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. PHOTO/File

Voters in Barbados, Thursday began casting their ballots in general elections that political observers say could be historic if the ruling Democratic Labor Party (DLP) of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart fails to win a second five year term.

No government since the island-nation attained its political independence from Britain in 1966 has failed to obtain a second consecutive term, but recent opinion polls suggest that the DLP is in danger of becoming the first party that would fail to achieve to maintain the feat.

The Electoral and Boundaries Commission says 247, 211 voters are eligible to cast ballots this election cycle, as compared with 243, 501 in 2008 and at some of the 541 polling stations, there were long lines, as voters sought to take advantage of the cool early morning temperature.

The opinion polls suggest that the main opposition Barbados Labor Party (BLP) of Owen Arthur, which was trounced by a 20-10 margin in the 2008 general election, will be the likely winner of the elections. Mr. Arthur urged supporters on Wednesday night, to turn out in large numbers vote and not assume that the BLP had won the elections “because the opinion polls say so.”

“We need a new government in Barbados to deal with the problems such as high cost of living,” said Arthur, the 63 year-old economist, who served as head of government on the island-nation for 14 years prior to 2008.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, 61, who took over the leadership of the government and the party following the death of then prime minister David Thompson in 2011, told supporters on Wednesday night that the DLP needed another five-year term in order to continue with the task of rebuilding the country.

“We have earned the right to be returned to office after tomorrow’s general elections,” he told supporters