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2021 Saint Lucian general election

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2021 Saint Lucian general election
← 2016 26 July 2021 Next →
All 17 seats in the House of Assembly
9 seats needed for a majority
Turnout51.08% Decrease 2.37pp
  First party Second party
  Philip J. Pierre Allen Chastanet
Leader Philip J. Pierre Allen Chastanet
Party Labour Party UWP
Leader since 18 June 2016 28 July 2013
Leader's seat Castries East Micoud South
Last election 44.09%, 6 seats 54.76%, 11 seats
Seats won 13 2
Seat change Increase 7 Decrease 9
Popular vote 43,799 37,481
Percentage 50.14% 42.91%
Swing Increase 6.05pp Decrease 11.85pp
Prime Minister before election

Allen Chastanet
UWP

Subsequent Prime Minister

Philip J. Pierre
Labour Party

Politics of Saint Lucia
Executive
Legislative
Elections
Administrative divisions (Quarters)
Foreign relations

General elections were held in Saint Lucia on 26 July 2021,[1] having been constitutionally required by 12 October 2021. Voters elected all 17 members of the House of Assembly.[2] The result was a victory for the opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party, which won 13 of the 17 seats in the House, while the ruling United Workers Party lost nine of its eleven seats. It was the fourth consecutive election in which the incumbent government lost.

Electoral system

The 17 elected members of the House of Assembly were elected by first-past-the-post in single member constituencies.[3]

According to the constitution, elections for a new Parliament session can be held at the latest 5 years and 90 days after the opening of the previous session. The first session after the 2016 election was held on 12 July 2016, leaving the deadline in October 2021. Incumbent Prime Minister Allen Chastanet favoured a later date, stating in April 2021 his intent to avoid another outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saint Lucia.[2] On 5 July 2021, he announced that the election would be held on 26 July.[4]

Campaign

Political parties began announcing prospective candidates in December 2020.[5][6][7]

On Nomination Day, 16 July, the governing United Workers Party (UWP) nominated candidates for all 17 constituencies. The opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) nominated candidates for 15 constituencies, not fielding candidates in two constituencies where former UWP members campaigned as independents. The National Green Party (NGP) nominated candidates for eight constituencies.[8][9]

Although the parties held campaign rallies, they mutually agreed not to allow motorcades after warnings from health authorities.[10]

In June 2021 the UWP announced a five-point pledge of top priority items it would deliver if re-elected: the pledge included additional support for needy persons, a reduction in VAT, electronic textbooks for students and a health insurance programme covering all citizens.[11]

The NGP was founded on 23 May 2021. For the upcoming election, the party announced food security to be its key issue, along with constitutional reforms that the UWP and SLP had not passed. The NGP also proposed increased spending on social services and tourism infrastructure; these projects would be funded by establishing a legal cannabis industry.[12]

Conduct

The Caribbean Community sent a team of ten election observers for the main election as well as the advance polls on 23 July, and gave a favourable initial assessment.[13] Chaired by Alvin Smith, the five-member team from the Commonwealth[14] also praised the conduct of the elections, but criticised the slow updating of the voter registry.[15] The Organization of American States sent a team of twelve election observers.[16]

Results

The SLP flipped seven seats, winning 13 of the 17 in the House. For the first time since independence, the UWP lost the Micoud North seat. The UWP retained only two seats, those of PM Chastenet and Commerce Minister Bradley Felix, while the two former UWP members running as independents, Stephenson King and Richard Frederick, won their seats.[17][18][19]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Saint Lucia Labour Party43,79950.1413+7
United Workers Party37,48142.912–9
National Green Party2710.310New
Independents5,8076.652+2
Total87,358100.00170
Valid votes87,35898.10
Invalid/blank votes1,6941.90
Total votes89,052100.00
Registered voters/turnout174,33251.08
Source: Electoral Department

By constituency

Constituency Electorate Turnout % Political party Candidate Votes %
Anse la Raye/Canaries 8,614 4,978 57.79 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Wayne Girard 2,468 51.6
United Workers Party Dominic Fedee 2,303 48.1
National Green Party Avalan Joseph 16 0.3
Babonneau 12,942 6,524 50.41 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Virginia Albert-Poyotte 3,245 50.9
United Workers Party Ezechiel Joseph 3,135 49.1
Castries Central 9,102 3,687 40.51 Independent (gain) Richard Frederick 2,099 57.5
United Workers Party Sarah Flood-Beaubrun 1,494 41.0
National Green Party Aaron Alexander 55 1.5
Castries East 12,739 5,658 44.41 Saint Lucia Labour Party Philip J. Pierre 3,700 66.5
United Workers Party Fortuna C. Belrose 1,823 32.8
National Green Party Ubaidullah Muhammad 40 0.7
Castries North 12,282 5,327 43.37 Independent (gain) Stephenson King 3,643 69.5
United Workers Party Jeannine Giraudy-McIntyre 1,530 29.2
National Green Party Daisy Anna St. Rose 37 0.7
Independent Nathalbert Earl Geroge 31 0.6
Castries South 9,554 4,810 50.35 Saint Lucia Labour Party Ernest Hilaire 3,064 64.8
United Workers Party Bertrand Birch Johannes 1,635 34.6
National Green Party Raffaele Cantoni 33 0.7
Castries South East 15,000 7,642 50.95 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Joachim Andre Henry 3,978 52.9
United Workers Party Guy Joseph 3,541 47.1
Choiseul 9,546 5,498 57.59 United Workers Party John Bradley Felix 2,846 53.5
Saint Lucia Labour Party Pauline Antoine-Prospere 2,461 46.3
National Green Party Mary Gilberta St. Rose 10 0.2
Dennery North 8,705 4,628 53.16 Saint Lucia Labour Party Shawn A. Edward 2,414 53.0
United Workers Party Angelina Phera Polius 2,133 46.8
National Green Party Wendel George 10 0.2
Dennery South 5,391 3,028 56.17 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Alfred Prospere 1,548 53.2
United Workers Party Edmund Estephane 1,364 46.8
Gros Islet 24,418 12,292 50.34 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Kenson Joel Casimir 7,077 58.1
United Workers Party Lenard Montoute 5,024 41.3
National Green Party Andre De Caires 70 0.6
Laborie 6,870 3,426 49.87 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Alva Baptiste 2,170 64.0
United Workers Party Francisco Jean Pierre 1,218 36.0
Micoud North 8,314 4,121 49.57 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Jeremiah Norbert 2,283 56.5
United Workers Party Gale Rigobert 1,731 42.8
Independent Michael Philip St. Catherine 26 0.6
Micoud South 7,557 4,030 53.33 United Workers Party Allen Chastanet 2,303 58.1
Saint Lucia Labour Party Guibion Ferdinand 1,656 41.8
Independent Melanie Fraites 6 0.2
Soufriere 8,903 5,040 56.61 Saint Lucia Labour Party (gain) Emma Hippolyte 2,499 50.7
United Workers Party Herod Adrien Stanislas 2,434 49.3
Vieux Fort North 6,995 3,601 51.48 Saint Lucia Labour Party Moses Jean Baptiste 2,087 59.0
United Workers Party Vincent London 1,453 41.0
Vieux Fort South 9,611 4,570 47.55 Saint Lucia Labour Party Kenny Anthony 3,020 67.5
United Workers Party Hermangild Francis 1,457 32.5
Source: Electoral Department

Reactions

Domestic

SLP leader Pierre thanked the people of Saint Lucia for his party's win, promising to focus on healthcare and youth employment.[20][21] PM Chastanet called Pierre to offer his congratulations. In a Facebook post, Chastanet thanked the UWP supporters and announced that the party will regroup.[22] The NGP Deputy Leader Aaron Alexander congratulated the SLP and affirmed his party's willingness to work with them to improve the country.[23]

International

Aftermath

SLP leader Philip J. Pierre was sworn in as the new Prime Minister on 28 July.[28][29] The new Cabinet was sworn in on 5 August in a ceremony attended by Antiguan PM Gaston Browne. It consisted of 13 ministers, including the two independent MPs, and two parliamentary secretaries.[30]

Cabinet of Ministers

Constituency Political Party Office Holder Ministerial Office
Castries East Saint Lucia Labour Party Phillip J. Pierre Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy.
Castries South Saint Lucia Labour Party Ernest Hilaire Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.
Vieux Fort North Saint Lucia Labour Party Moses Jn. Baptist Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs.
Dennery North Saint Lucia Labour Party Shawn A. Edward Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training.
Laborie Saint Lucia Labour Party Alva Romanus Baptiste Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs.
Soufriere Saint Lucia Labour Party Emma Hippolyte Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs.
Castries South East Saint Lucia Labour Party Joachim Andre Henry Minister for Equity, Social Justice and People’s Empowerment.
Babonneau Saint Lucia Labour Party Virginia Albert-Poyotte Minister for the Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs.
Gros Islet Saint Lucia Labour Party Kenson Joel Casimir Minister for Youth Development and Sports.
Dennery South Saint Lucia Labour Party Alfred Prospere Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development.
Anse la Raye/Canaries Saint Lucia Labour Party Wayne D. Girard Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy.
Castries North Independent Stephenson King Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development and Urban Renewal.
Castries Central Independent Richard Frederick Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Housing and Local Government.
Source: Caribbean National Weekly

Parliamentary Secretaries

Parliamentary Secretaries
Office Holder Office
Dr. Pauline Antoine-Prospere Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training.
Guibion Ferdinand Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.
Source: Caribbean National Weekly

References

  1. ^ BREAKING: Saint Lucia’s general election set for July 26 Caribbean News Global, 6 July 2021
  2. ^ a b Gaillard, Sharefil (30 April 2021). "PM 'can't focus on elections' due to concerns of COVID outbreak". Loop News. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Saint Lucia (House of Assembly), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. ^ "PM Chastanet announces election date | Loop St. Lucia". Loop News. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  5. ^ "SLP endorses Jeremiah Norbert for Micoud North". Loop News. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  6. ^ Gaillard, Sharefil (15 October 2020). "SNP Leader: New party vetting candidates for upcoming election". Loop News. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  7. ^ "PM Chastanet announces Election Date". Loop News. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Nomination Day: 45 to contest Saint Lucia's General Election". St. Lucia Star. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  9. ^ "SLP not contesting Castries North, Central… urges support for 'patriots' King and Frederick". St. Lucia Star. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  10. ^ McLeod, Sheri-Kae (14 July 2021). "St Lucia Political Parties Ban Motorcades Ahead of General Election". Caribbean News. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  11. ^ Gaillard, Sharefil (28 June 2021). "WATCH: Chastanet reveals five point plan for next five years". Loop News. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  12. ^ "De Caires to contest Gros Islet". St. Lucia STAR. 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  13. ^ "CARICOM Election Observers say Saint Lucia Elections results reflect the will of the people". CARICOM Today. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Commonwealth to observe Saint Lucia's General Elections". The Commonwealth. 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  15. ^ "The 'will of the people' reflected in Saint Lucia Election result says Commonwealth Observer Group". The Commonwealth. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021.
  16. ^ "OAS EOM releases Preliminary Statement on Saint Lucia's General Election". St. Lucia STAR. 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  17. ^ "SLP Wins Landslide Victory In Saint Lucia Elections". St. Lucia Times News. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  18. ^ ""Our universe has shaken us to awaken us" — Minister Bradley Felix on COVID-19". St. Lucia News Online. 11 April 2020. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021.
  19. ^ "N - elections 40 years and beyond Micoud North" (PDF). Elections 40 Years and Beyond. Castries: Saint Lucia Electoral Department. 2021.
  20. ^ "St. Lucia Labour Party Seals Big Election Win". The St Kitts Nevis Observer. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Opposition claims victory in St. Lucia elections – iWitness News". www.iwnsvg.com. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Chastanet Congratulates Pierre On Election Victory". St. Lucia Times News. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  23. ^ "NGP Deputy Leader Urges Pierre Not To Disappoint The People". St. Lucia Times News. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Grenada's PM congratulates newly-elected St Lucia Labour Party | NOW Grenada". 27 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  25. ^ "NDC congratulates Saint Lucia Labour Party | NOW Grenada". 27 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  26. ^ "PM Skerrit congratulates St. Lucia Labour Party on overwhelming election victory". Dominica News Online. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  27. ^ "PM Browne congratulates his new regional counterpart". Antigua News Room. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  28. ^ CMC (28 July 2021). "Pierre to be sworn in as new St Lucia Prime Minister". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Swearing In Ceremony of Prime Minister Philip Joseph Pierre (July 28, 2021)". Saint Lucia Government. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021 – via youtube.com.
  30. ^ McLeod, Sheri-Kae (6 August 2021). "Prime Minister of St Lucia Unveils New Cabinet". Caribbean News. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
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