ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – The Parliamentary Elections Office (PEO) Wednesday said that 41 candidates had been nominated to contest the June 23 general elections. The two main parties contest all 15 seats in the Parliament.
In a statement, the PEO said that apart from the ruling New National Party (NNP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the other parties contesting the elections that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell called almost a year ahead of the constitutional date, are the Grenada Renaissance Party (GRP), the Independent Freedom Party (IP) that are contesting three seats each.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell is a leading supporter as he goes to be nominated for the June 23 general election.
The Grenada United Labour Party (GULP), which once dominated politics here, contests four seats while three is one independent candidate.
Prime Minister Mitchell, who is hoping to win a third consecutive term in office after having led the NNP to straight sweeps of all the seats in the Parliament in the last two general elections, said he remains confident that the party will win the polls.
“I expect a bigger victory in terms of the numbers in each constituency than we had in 2018 and 2013. I am very confident,” he said, adding that he was also encouraged by the turnout of supporters as he handed in his nomination papers.
“It’s the biggest one we have ever had …it tells me about the love and the appreciation of the people of North West, and I never expected to see that crowd.
“There is a stronger mood in the country than I have ever seen, and I think people understand the importance of this election, and that’s why you see them coming out in such numbers.”
Mitchell, 75, who has indicated that this will be his last general election, said, “there will have to be a national disaster for me to reconsider because I plan to ensure the continuation of the leadership of the New National Party.”
NDC leader Dickson Mitchell speaking to reporters after being nominated to contest the general election (CMC Photo)
The NDC, which last won a general election here in 2008, and suffered back-to-back clean sweeps in the next general elections, is led by attorney Dickon Mitchell. He is confident of reversing the fortunes of the party.
After handing in his nomination papers for the St. David constituency, the NDC leader said he was looking forward to people turning out on June 23, “casting their ballots and initiating the process of going forward.”
He is promising “true and honest representation,” adding, “we need to put the people of Grenada first, put our communities first, and be accountable to our communities.
“As I said before, we are here to represent the people and not the other way around, and I pledge that commitment not just to the people of St. David’s but all of the citizens of Grenada.”
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