2023 St. Mary's South by-election explained

Country:St. Mary's South
Election Name:2023 St. Mary's South by-election
Candidate1:Kelvin Simon
Party1:UPP
Popular Vote1:1,065
Percentage1:54.23%
Candidate2:Dwayne George
Party2:ABLP
Popular Vote2:891
Percentage2:45.37%
Party3:DNA
Candidate3:Andrew Antonio
Popular Vote3:8
Percentage3:0.41%

On October 24, 2023, a by-election was conducted in the Antiguan seat of St. Mary's South in response to the resignation of Kelvin Simon, the sitting UPP member of parliament, due to challenges to his candidacy. It was Antigua and Barbuda's second election since Prime Minister Gaston Browne emerged victorious in the country's general election in 2023 with a narrow win.

The election was won by the UPP.[1] This was the first by-election held outside of Barbuda since independence in 1981.[2]

Background

After the Labour Party contested the results of the 2023 Antiguan general election in St. Mary's South, Kevin Simon MP resigned from the seat to trigger a by-election. This was due to concerns of Simon being unduly nominated.[3] On 27 July 2023, the Labour Party candidate, Samantha Marshall, withdrew from the by-election, and future[4] senator Dwayne George was chosen as her replacement instead.[5] It was expected that the by-election would generate significant interest across the Caribbean region.[6]

The election date was announced on 30 September 2023 in Urlings, the date being 24 October 2023.[7] [8] The writ of by-election was given by Governor-General Rodney Williams on 2 October 2023.[9]

Candidates

!Candidate name!Political party!Candidate village!Reference
Andrew Antonio DNABolans[10]
Dwayne GeorgeABLPBolans[11]
Kelvin SimonUPPBolans[12]

Polling divisions

[13]

!Polling division!Primary villages
"A"Bolans (incl. Jolly Harbour)
"B"Crabs Hill and Johnsons Point
"C"Urlings

Notes and References

  1. http://www.abec.gov.ag/sms/
  2. https://antiguaobserver.com/shugy-wins-his-double-or-nothing-by-election-gamble/
  3. Web site: jordan . 2023-06-07 . MP Kelvin 'Shugy' Simon Resigns to Take St. Mary's South Seat Back to the People's Court . 2023-08-29 . Antigua News Room . en-US.
  4. Web site: jordan . 2023-08-04 . Newly Sworn-In Senator Dwayne George Vows to Serve the People of St. Mary's South Constituency . 2023-08-29 . Antigua News Room . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2023-07-27 . Samantha Marshall Withdraws as Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Candidate for St. Mary's South . 2023-08-29 . Antigua News Room . en-US.
  6. Web site: jordan . 2023-08-17 . Wickham Forecasts Regional Interest in St. Mary's South By-Election . 2023-08-29 . Antigua News Room . en-US.
  7. Web site: jordan . 2023-10-01 . St Mary's South By-Election Set for October 24 . 2023-10-01 . Antigua News Room . en-US.
  8. Web site: Notice of by-election .
  9. Web site: Writ of by-election .
  10. Web site: Statement of Persons Nominated (Andrew Antonio) .
  11. Web site: Statement of Persons Nominated (Dwayne George) .
  12. Web site: Statement of Persons Nominated (Kelvin Simon) .
  13. Web site: St. Mary's South Polling Stations .