A local chapter of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has publicly denounced a disturbing act of electoral sabotage targeting the campaign materials of a sitting party politician, marking an ugly turn ahead of the island nation’s democratic political activity. The St. John’s Rural East Branch of the ABLP confirmed that the incident involved a small group of young men who traveled through the constituency in a white Toyota Vitz. Wearing the party’s signature red ABLP-branded shirts to obscure their true intentions, the group defaced and removed campaign signs and posters belonging to Hon. Maria Browne, an elected representative for the area. Party officials with the local branch emphasized that this behavior has no place in Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic framework. They labeled the actions as both ethically unacceptable and legally unlawful, noting that the vandalism directly contradicts the core values that the ABLP has long promoted for political competition: fairness, mutual respect, and integrity across all campaign activity. The branch stressed that every political actor, regardless of which party they align with, has a fundamental right to engage in public political expression. That right, officials added, must always be exercised within the bounds of the law and with respect for opposing candidates and their supporters. Following the discovery of the vandalism, the St. John’s Rural East Branch formally filed a report with local law enforcement. Authorities have since launched a formal investigation into the incident, and party representatives confirmed that they are fully cooperating with police to identify all individuals involved in the act. The branch made clear that once the responsible parties are found, they will be held fully accountable for their actions under the law. In addition to calling for accountability, the local chapter issued a public appeal to all residents and political actors across Antigua and Barbuda. The branch urged every person to approach the political process with responsibility and respect, reiterating that aggressive, illegal tactics that undermine democratic activity will not be tolerated in the country.
ABLP St. John’s Rural East Branch Condemns Removal of Maria Browne Campaign Signs
