In the aftermath of Saint Lucia’s December 1 General Election, a disturbing pattern of political vandalism has persisted despite the conclusion of electoral campaigns. During the heated pre-election period, multiple incidents were reported by competing parties regarding the defacement and removal of campaign materials, including posters, billboards, and flags, allegedly perpetrated by opposing supporters.
While most large-scale campaign installations were dismantled following the election, one prominent billboard featuring UWP candidate Marcella Johnson remained standing on private property in Gros Islet. Last week, this billboard became the target of vandalism when it was deliberately splattered with red paint in an act of post-electoral sabotage.
Johnson’s official social media channels issued a strong condemnation of the incident, stating: ‘This is completely unacceptable and must be condemned without hesitation.’ The statement further elaborated: ‘Political competition ends at the ballot box. Once elections are over, democracy demands maturity, respect, and restraint. Vandalism, intimidation, and spiteful acts do not strengthen political movements, they weaken them and erode the civic culture we all depend on.’
The communication emphasized that such destructive behavior ultimately reflects more negatively on its perpetrators than on its targets. The message concluded with a call for elevated political discourse: ‘Saint Lucia deserves better than this kind of petty political hostility. We can disagree without destroying, campaign without bullying, and express opinions without resorting to vandalism.’