CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Citizens of this Eastern Caribbean nation are preparing to cast their votes in a pivotal general election on Monday, marking a democratic contest between incumbent Prime Minister Phillip Pierre’s St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and Allen Chastanet’s opposition United Workers Party (UWP).
The electoral process, monitored by international observers from CARICOM and the Organization of American States, features 52 nominated candidates including eight independents, though political analysts anticipate a direct confrontation between the two dominant parties.
Prime Minister Pierre, 71, called the election nearly one year ahead of the constitutional deadline, expressing confidence that his party would maintain or exceed its current 13-seat majority achieved in the July 2021 polls. In his final pre-election message on social media, Pierre emphasized divine guidance and collective progress, invoking Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
Opposition leader Chastanet, 65, similarly sought spiritual intervention, praying for “peace, wisdom and protection” during the voting process. Addressing supporters at his final rally in Choiseul, Chastanet referenced recent electoral victories by “yellow” parties across the Caribbean, including in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, suggesting a regional political shift.
Political analyst Rhyesa Joseph identified multiple factors influencing voter behavior, including “national leadership and governance, parliamentary representation, quality of the opposition candidate and trust and confidence in political affiliation.”
The Electoral Department reports approximately 180,000 registered voters, with Chief Elections Officer Herman St. Helen noting a significant late surge in registrations, particularly among youth. St. Helen emphatically guaranteed a free and fair electoral process despite allegations of corruption.
Voter turnout remains a concern, with historical data showing a dramatic decline from 80% in 1979 to just over 50% in 2021. Local publication The Voice urged citizens to fulfill their “civic duty” despite this trend.
Key battlegrounds include constituencies where former UWP members Richard Frederick and Stephenson King, now running as independents after previously aligning with the SLP, face heightened competition. The election’s outcome will determine the direction of national development policies and St. Lucia’s positioning within the Caribbean community.