Long lines formed outside some of the 239 polling stations scattered across the island that opened at 6.00 am (local time) and will close 11 hours later. There are 45 candidates contesting the elections.

Supervisor of Elections Judy Benoit told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that 62,146 people have been registered to vote in the election in which Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is hoping to lead his NDC into a second consecutive five year term in office against the Keith Mitchell’s NNP and three other small political parties including the National United Front (NUF), comprising mainly of former NDC cabinet ministers.

“The biggest challenge could be someone turning up to vote without identification cards and not being able to be identified otherwise,” she told CMC, adding that she expects the results of the first seat to be declared to be known half an hour after the polls close.

The election is being monitored by various national regional and international teams including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth.

Reprinted from Cananews