Prim Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ United Labour Party (ULP) has entered the record books after securing a fifth consecution term when voters in St Vincent and the Grenadines took to the polls yesterday (November 5).

The ULP added to its parliamentary majority, picking up the North Leeward seat to give it nine of 15.

The North Leeward seat had previously been held by the New Democratic Party (NDP), which yesterday took the other six seats available.

Attorney Dr Godwin Friday was leading the NDP for the first time after replacing Arnhim Eustace as leader.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) mounted a six-person election observation mission to monitor the elections, which is to issue a preliminary statement followed by a full report to CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

Headed by Anthonyson King of Antigua and Barbuda, the mission monitored the election day activities including the opening of the poll, the voting process, close of poll and tallying of the ballots. 

In a statement after the result, Gonsalves said: “Today, the people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines embraced the politics of ‘Lifting SVG Higher’. They embraced our progressive agenda for the future by returning us to the government.”

He added: “I am humbled and honoured that the people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines embraced our bold vision for the future and rejected the politics of hate, backwardsness and colonialism.

“We ask Vincentians to celebrate this victory in peace and maturity. Now is the time to come together as one nation to address our developmental challenges and move forward to uplift our nation and it’s people.”

Official election results are expected to be announced today.