High court ruling paves the way for Thursday’s general election in Grenada.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC- The High Court on Wednesday dismissed a claim by former Attorney General Cajeton Hood that sought to challenge certain aspects of the electoral process, paving the way for the general election on Thursday, almost a year ahead of the constitutional deadline.

In September, Hood said he was asking the High Court to settle a growing controversy over the electoral rights of Grenadians living overseas, arguing that the courts should decide who qualifies to vote before Grenada goes to the polls.

Hood, who represented himself, said he wanted the High Court to interpret the provisions governing voter registration and determine who is entitled to be registered, who can remain on the voters’ list and for how long.

At the center of the dispute is whether Grenadians residing overseas can participate in the election, with Hood wanting the High Court to determine what the law requires rather than rely on competing political interpretations.

But in her ruling, Justice Agnes Actie said that Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell acted in accordance with the Constitution and the law when he advised the Governor General to dissolve Parliament on October 2, 2026.

She rejected the claim that Prime Minister Mitchell “acted unconstitutionally,” citing settled law that once Parliament is dissolved and the election process is triggered, any question about the general election must be brought by way of an election petition after the election.

A team of attorneys, including former Attorney General Dr. Francis Alexis KC, Ruggles Ferguson KC and Ian Sandy, represented Prime Minister Mitchell and the Office of the Attorney General. In contrast, Darshan Ramdhani KC and Sabrita Khan-Ramdhani represented the Supervisor of Elections.

Meanwhile, as the 97,020 registered voters get ready to cast their ballots on Thursday, Prime Minister Mitchell, in a near 30-minute broadcast, urged voters to exercise their “democratic right peacefully, thoughtfully, and without fear.

“Do not allow any person or party to intimidate you, bully you, or threaten you. You have a fundamental, legally protected right to vote,” he said, telling voters that they should cast their ballots early as well as encourage “your family and friends to make their voices heard.”

Mitchell, who in his broadcast spoke of the leadership of his ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its achievements over the last four years, told voters, “If there is a line, be patient and see it through.

“I am ready to continue serving you. The National Democratic Congress team is ready to continue serving you, and we humbly ask you to renew your trust in us, to vote tomorrow for progress, to vote tomorrow for opportunity, to vote tomorrow for a more secure future for your family, to vote tomorrow for your National Democratic Congress candidate.”

Mitchell, an attorney, who led the NDC to a 9-6 victory in the June 23, 2022 general election, said voters should re-elect his administration to “keep developing Grenada because we want more progress, we want more success”.

But Emmalin Pierre, who is leading the main opposition New National Party (NNP) into a general election for the first time and could become the country’s first woman prime minister, said rewarding a government that removed the EC$15 cap (One EC dollar = US$ 0.37) on gasoline and added taxes on essentials “with another term would be a vote against your own well-being.

“After four and a half years of neglect and added burdens without apology, it won’t get better with time. The neglect will only grow deeper. The burden will only grow heavier,” said Pierre, reminding voters that “tomorrow, your vote will take just a few minutes, but its effect will last for the next five years.

“You’ll see it in your take-home pay every month. In your water, electricity, and grocery bills. In your access to affordable housing and healthcare. And in how we support our pensioners, farmers, public servants and the most vulnerable among us,” she added.

The other major party in the election is the recently formed Democratic People’s Movement (DPM), which is contesting nine of the seats.

David, a former foreign affairs minister, said he remains confident he will win the Town of St. George, a seat he has represented for over 20 years, having first been elected in November 2003.

Political observers say that the seat could hold the balance in the general election.