Gaston Browne and his Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party re-elected

Prime Minister Gaston Browne led his ruling Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to a nail-biting victory in Wednesday’s general election, winning 9 of the 17 seats for a third consecutive term in office, according to the preliminary results released early Thursday morning.

The party won 15 of the 17 seats in the 2018 general election.

“You know I have always said to people, you must always give thanks, no matter how small the blessing and I see this decision as a blessing upon the people of Antigua & Barbuda,” Prime Minister Browne told supporters. He said the results will give the ABLP government the opportunity to re-align “and also create the opportunity for fresh talent.”

Browne, who became the first government leader in the country to win 3 consecutive general elections, headed the victorious ABLP candidates, as the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) won 5 additional seats as compared to the solitary seat it had gained in the 2018 general election.

“I want to thank you all very much – I say thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I feel humbled, again to be the first Prime Minister to get 3 consecutive terms and that is a significant amount of confidence and trust which I shall continue to honor,” Browne told supporters.

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) failed to make any impact in the election with its leader, Joanne Massiah polling only 22 votes.

UPP leader Harold Lovell, failed to win the City East seat for a third consecutive time as Information Minister Melford Nicholas held on to win by 6 votes. Preliminary figures released by the Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) showed that Nicholas, who has defeated the former finance minister on all 3 occasions, polled 791 votes while Lovell received 785. Leon Smith of the DNA got 13 votes. Lovell has called for a recount.

Browne is set to be sworn into office, Thursday and the new Cabinet named on Friday. -(CMC)