#St.Vincent&theGrenadines – November 5, 2020 – Ralph Gonsalves will begin a fifth consecutive term as Prime Minister after his United Labour Party (ULP) not only held onto its eight (8) seats, but gained one more in the November 5 polling in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Over 98,000 people were registered to vote for 15 candidates to form the next national assembly. 

Three political parties contested in today’s General Election, but it was the incumbent ULP and official opposition, New Democratic Party (NDP) which ran a full slate with 15 candidates each.  Overall, there were 32 individuals vying for a seat in parliament.

Voting took place amidst the coronavirus pandemic and slightly soggy weather conditions in the twin island state.

Going into the general election, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was the favourite; Gonsalves has now pulled off an unprecedented victory after serving 20 years as leader of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

In his victory remarks, there was a call for solidarity and focus.

“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,” said Gonsalves, as reported in the Times Caribbean online.