The 17 elected members of the House of Representatives  were elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post. There was no fixed election date in effect in Antigua and Barbuda at this time; hence, the choice of election date is the prerogative of the Prime Minister.

Background

On 24 February 2018 Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that Antigua and Barbuda would be going to the polls on 21 March 2018 to elect a new government. The election takes place 15 months before it is constitutionally due in June 2019.

P M Gaston Browne (ABLP)

Harold Lovell (UPP)

Joanne Massiah (UPP)

According to Browne, the polls were called early to protect the many plans his Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party has programed for this year and the next. “We have an opportunity at this point to consolidate the leadership of this country, to provide investors with predictability, to prove stability, to provide continuity, and that’s the main reason why we’re going to the polls early,” he said.

Brown advised the Governor-General to dissolve parliament on Monday, 26 February 2018. On Tuesday February 27th, the Writ of Elections was issued. Nomination Day was set for Monday, 5 March 2018.

A total of 51, 258 Antiguans and Barbudans are eligible to vote in the 2018 general election.

Political Parties & Candidates

As in previous elections, the main political parties contesting the election will be the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP).

A total of 53 candidates contested the 21 March 2018 general election in Antigua and Barbuda. The ruling ABLP, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne is the only party to present a full slate of 17 candidates. The main opposition, Harold Lovell-led  United Progressive Party (UPP) will contest 16, while its affiliate the Barbuda Peoples Movement (BPM) will contest one seat, Barbuda. The new Joanne Massiah-led Democratic National Alliance (DNA) registered 13 candidates, Go Green for Life (GGL) two, and Missing Link VOP (MLVOP), one. The Antigua Barbuda True Labour Party (ABTLP) led by Vere Bird III will field two candidates. Attorney-at-law Ralph Francis is the only independent candidate. | Learn more about 2018 candidates

Preliminary Results

The Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne has won the 2018 general elections, gaining one more seat in the parliament and will retain the government in Antigua and Barbuda.  Preliminary results indicate that the ABLP has won 15 of the 17 seats in the House of Representatives.  The opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), led by former Finance Minister Harold Lovell, has won 1 seat. The Joanne Massiah led Democratic National Alliance (DNA) failed to win any seats in the 2018 election.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout was 76.3%.

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

System First-past-the-post Elected Members 17 single-member constituencies

VOTER TURNOUT

Total Valid Votes 38,382   Invalid Votes 288   Total Votes Cast 39,120   Registered Voters 51,528   Voter Turnout 76.32%

CRITICAL DATES

Dissolution of House Mon, 26 Feb 2018   Nomination Day Mon, 5 Mar 2018   Polling Day Wed, 21 Mar 2018   First Meeting of Parliament –

Antigua electoral map POLITICAL LEADERS

Gaston A. BROWNE Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP)     Joanne M. MASSIAH Democratic National Alliance (DNA)     Harold E.E. LOVELL United Progressive Party (UPP)

ELECTORAL LEGISLATION

The Antigua and Barbuda Constitution (1981)   Representation of the People’s Act (1975, amended 2008)   Constituency Boundaries Commission Order (1984)