In a decisive move to formalize its election campaign, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) locked in its complete roster of candidates for the upcoming general election during a national convention held Sunday at the People’s Place on Lady Nugent Avenue.
The official confirmation was delivered by ABLP General Secretary Shenella Govia, who told assembled party members that the party’s Central Executive Committee had already signed off on all parliamentary candidates and constituency caretakers ahead of the delegate vote. Reading the full list of approved nominees to attendees, Govia formalized the Central Executive’s resolution approving all individuals that would stand for the party in the impending national vote.
Following the announcement, voting delegates in attendance formally backed the entire candidate slate, passing the endorsement resolution with unanimous support. This unanimous approval solidifies the party’s full lineup ahead of ballots being cast on April 30.
High-profile nominees on the ratified list include party leader Gaston Browne, who will stand for re-election in the St John’s City West constituency, and Kendra Beazer, the ABLP’s candidate for the Barbuda constituency. Additional candidates include Dr. Philmore Benjamin for St Mary’s North, Michael Joseph for St John’s Rural West, Dwayne George for St Mary’s South, and Randy Baltimore for St Philip North.
The roster also features multiple incumbent government ministers and senior party figures. These include E.P. Chet Greene, who will contest the St Paul constituency, Daryll Matthew for St John’s Rural South, Maria Browne for St John’s Rural East, and Charles Fernandez for St John’s Rural North.
The candidate ratification marks a critical milestone in the ABLP’s pre-election preparations, putting the party on track to shift its focus to grassroots mobilization and campaigning across all constituencies in the lead-up to the April 30 vote.