Antigua and Barbuda heads to polls in early general election

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) — Polling stations across Antigua and Barbuda opened their doors at 6 a.m. local time on Thursday, with voters heading to roughly 190 sites to choose a new government in a general election summoned by Prime Minister Gaston Browne nearly two years before the constitutional clock ran out.

The ballot boxes will remain available for 12 hours before closing. According to the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), some 63,330 people are registered to vote across the 17 constituencies up for grabs — a roll that has grown by close to 3,000 names since the last contest. ABEC has pledged a transparent and orderly exercise.

Electors whose voter identification cards have lapsed are being accommodated at Registration Units inside their constituencies on polling day. "Electors who apply to replace their expired Voter's ID Card will be issued a Special Identification Card (special ID) at the Registration Units within the Constituencies on Thursday 30th April 2026 – Election Day. The Registration Units will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to facilitate this process," ABEC stated.

ABEC public relations officer Elisa Graham urged citizens to turn out, while reminding them that valid identification is non-negotiable. "I would like to take this opportunity to encourage Antiguans and Barbudans to go out and exercise their franchise. However you will not be able to exercise your franchise without a valid voters ID card. So for persons who are yet to replace their voters ID card…you will need to apply for a special voters ID card and you will need a passport size photo," she said.

Observers from CARICOM, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth are watching the proceedings.

Campaigning for a fourth straight term at the helm, Browne — already the only Antiguan prime minister to have secured three consecutive mandates — has framed his governing Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) as the steady hand. "We offer a renaissance in changing times," he said. "On election day, do not take a risk on a leader and a team that's just not ready. Let's keep Antigua and Barbuda in strong and safe hands."

Leading the United Progressive Party (UPP) into a national election for the first time, Jamale Pringle has argued that Antiguans and Barbudans have endured enough under the incumbents. "No longer will the people be subjected to the whims and fancy of a political party or a candidate or political person," he declared, adding, "We will ensure that policies are geared towards everybody without political interference."

The ABLP is putting up candidates in all 17 races. The UPP is contesting the 16 seats on Antigua, leaving its affiliate, the Barbuda People's Movement (BPM), to fight the lone Barbuda seat. Three independents are also on the ballot.

At the previous general election on January 18, 2023, the ABLP captured nine of the 17 seats, with the remainder split between the UPP and a single independent.