A high-stakes election petition trial over dual citizenship eligibility for parliamentary office is moving forward in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with top leaders of the ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) standing firm in their defense of their legal and constitutional status.
The case stems directly from the November 2025 general election, where defeated Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidates have mounted legal challenges against two elected NDP officials. Carlos Williams, who lost his bid against NDP leader and current Prime Minister Godwin Friday, challenged Friday’s eligibility over his dual Vincentian-Canadian citizenship. Separately, Luke Browne of the ULP brought an identical challenge against Foreign Affairs Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, who secured a second victory as the Member of Parliament for East Kingstown. At the heart of the legal dispute is a critical open question of constitutional interpretation: whether holding Canadian citizenship counts as owing allegiance to a foreign power under Section 26(1)(a) of the country’s constitution, or if dual citizens from other Commonwealth nations are protected from disqualification under existing constitutional provisions.
On Tuesday, both Prime Minister Friday and Minister Bramble underwent cross-examination before Justice Gertel Thom. Court proceedings resumed on Wednesday, when several NDP supporters from the island of Bequia were cross-examined regarding their sworn affidavits submitted as part of the defense case.
Speaking to reporters from iWitness News outside the Kingstown High Court after Wednesday’s proceedings, Bramble made clear he would not address hypothetical questions about whether he would renounce his Canadian citizenship if the High Court rules against his position. Bramble emphasized that he holds absolute confidence in the defense’s case, arguing that his dual citizenship does not violate any constitutional bar to serving in parliament or running for elected office. “My understanding of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution convinces me of that; and the fact of the matter is, if that was really the case, this would have happened a long time ago,” Bramble stated. He added, “I am confident that we will win the case, so that question wouldn’t even need to be considered.”
Prime Minister Friday echoed Bramble’s confidence, telling reporters that he remains optimistic about the outcome and views the ongoing trial as a standard part of the constitutional process. Friday noted that Vincentian voters were fully aware of both his and Bramble’s dual citizenship status ahead of the November election, and still elected both officials by overwhelming margins — Friday for the Northern Grenadines constituency, and Bramble for East Kingstown. “Because I know that this is not a matter that affects our eligibility, and it certainly doesn’t affect our performance, our commitment, and the hard work that you’re doing on behalf of the people,” Friday said.
The Prime Minister did express regret that he is required to spend extensive time in court rather than fulfilling his governing duties for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Even so, he rejected any claims that the election petition itself represents an infringement on the country’s democratic process, framing the court battle as a legitimate component of the nation’s constitutional framework. “Everybody has their day in court,” Friday said, reiterating that the 2025 election results reflect the clear will of voters, who overwhelmingly supported the NDP and its leadership. “What is the most democratic thing that happens in our system of government is that the people vote, and last November, the people voted overwhelmingly for the New Democratic Party, for me as prime minister, for Bramble as representative for East Kingstown.”
Bramble confirmed that the NDP is allowing the legal challenge to run its full course, and the party is fully complying with all court procedures. “But we are so very confident that we will prevail, but the process must take its course,” he said.
Defense attorney Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell explained that pursuing a court ruling on the matter is a critical step to establishing a clear, definitive interpretation of the constitution, even if some have argued the NDP leaders could simply renounce their foreign citizenship to end the dispute. Barnwell pointed out that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution only references eligibility for Commonwealth citizens, with no explicit requirement that candidates hold exclusive Vincentian citizenship. The core unresolved question for the court, Barnwell noted, is whether dual citizenship with another Commonwealth nation disqualifies a candidate from parliament, or if Commonwealth citizenship status protects their eligibility to run for office. The attorney added that the legal ambiguity around whether another Commonwealth country counts as a “foreign power” under the constitution has left many Vincentian voters unclear on the current rules. “As far as we are concerned, as far as what the law appears to be saying, there is absolutely nothing wrong in being a Vincentian and Canadian at the same time when you are running for political office,” Barnwell added.
As of this week, the trial remains ongoing.