Voters in the hurricane-wracked twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda headed to the polls Wednesday to elect a new government after Prime Minister Gaston Browne called snap elections.

Browne's Antigua Barbuda Labour Party, which has led the eastern Caribbean country since 2014, is widely expected to secure a second consecutive term.

The prime minister announced general elections on February 24, 15 months before a constitutionally mandated deadline, giving opposition parties less than four weeks to prepare.

And there will be no polling stations on Barbuda, which was battered by Hurricane Irma in September.

As a result, the estimated 400 Barbudans who have since returned home will have to travel to Antigua to cast their ballot. The government has promised to pay for related transport, accommodation and meal expenses.

Just over 51,000 Antiguans and Barbudans are eligible to vote. Voter turnout was around 90 percent in 2014.

Browne says the government wants to protect half a billion US dollars worth of developments currently under construction in the tourism-dependent country, and provide investors with stability.

One of the most prominent –- and controversial -- projects is a $250 million mega resort being built by Hollywood star Robert De Niro on Barbuda which was devastated by Hurricane Irma in September.

Lowering the cost of living in the country of 100,000 people is high on the agenda.

Browne, a former businessman and banker, has pledged to reduce electricity bills, along with the cost of land, and provide more affordable housing, under the slogan "Rebuilding Together." His wife Maria is also running for a seat on an ABLP ticket.

On Sunday, thousands of Browne's supporters donned the party's red colors and walked alongside a motorcade in an event that culminated in a public rally.

The "Delivering Hope" campaign of the main opposition group, the United Progressive Party (UPP), cites revitalization of the tourism and agricultural sectors as key priorities.

Fifty-three candidates will vie for seats in the 17 single-member constituencies -- of which the ABLP currently holds 14 -- in a first-past-the-post system.

The ruling party is alone in presenting a full slate of 17 candidates. The UPP, led by former finance minister Harold Lovell, has put forward 16.

A new party, the Democratic National Alliance, headed by current lawmaker and former UPP representative Joanne Massiah has registered 13 candidates.

There is a handful of smaller parties, a single independent runner and one representing the Barbuda People's Movement (BPM) contesting the small island's sole seat.

Polling stations opened at 6:00 am (1000 GMT) and are due to close at 6:00 pm. Alcohol sales are restricted during those hours and all public schools are closed, as many are serving as polling stations.

Teams representing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are observing the elections.

On its path through the Caribbean in September, Irma caused "absolute devastation" on Barbuda where up to 30 percent of properties were demolished, and 95 percent damaged, Browne had said at the time.

After a 10-year hiatus, voters returned Browne's Labour Party to power during the last ballot four years ago, when he pledged to economically transform the country.

The country became fully independent from Britain in 1981. </s> Barbudans have for the first time in their history been forced to travel by fishing boat, ferry and charter plane to neighbouring Antigua to vote in their elections – a move many on the hurricane-ravaged island see as a ploy to discourage them from voting.

Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, called a snap election last month – 18 months ahead of time.

All of Barbuda’s 1,600 residents were evacuated to Antigua when Hurricane Irma smashed into the Caribbean nation six months ago. Many have remained on Antigua, and so the electoral commission decided that voting could only be held on the larger island. </s> FORMER Foreign Minister and Attorney-General of The Bahamas, Janet Bostwick will lead a Commonwealth Observer Group to monitor the Antigua and Barbuda general election today.

The group arrived in the country on March 16 and has met with the Prime Minister, the electoral commission, representatives of political parties, civil society representatives, media organisations and domestic and international observer groups.

Mrs Bostwick said: “On behalf of the group, I wish the people of Antigua and Barbuda well as they go out to exercise their franchise. We will assess whether the elections have been conducted according to the national laws of Antigua and Barbuda, and to the relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international standards to which Antigua and Barbuda has committed itself.”

She continued: “For the remainder of the time before polling commences we will observe campaigning and continue to meet a range of relevant stakeholders to the election process.”

The group will observe at different polling stations and constituencies across Antigua, including the polling for Barbudans. They will observe the opening of the polling stations, the casting of votes, the count and the declaration of results, as well as liaising with observers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Organization of American States (OAS).

Last month, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that Antigua and Barbuda would hold a general election on March 21, more than a year before elections were constitutionally due.

These elections will contest the 17 seats in the lower chamber of Antigua and Barbuda’s bicameral parliament. At dissolution, a majority of 14 seats was held by Prime Minister Browne’s Antigua Labour Party with the remaining three seats held by the United Progressive Party. </s> St. John's (Antigua and Barbuda) (AFP) - Voters in the hurricane-wracked twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda headed to the polls Wednesday to elect a new government after Prime Minister Gaston Browne called snap elections.

Browne's Antigua Barbuda Labour Party, which has led the eastern Caribbean country since 2014, is widely expected to secure a second consecutive term.

The prime minister announced general elections on February 24, 15 months before a constitutionally mandated deadline, giving opposition parties less than four weeks to prepare.

And there will be no polling stations on Barbuda, which was battered by Hurricane Irma in September.

As a result, the estimated 400 Barbudans who have since returned home will have to travel to Antigua to cast their ballot. The government has promised to pay for related transport, accommodation and meal expenses.

Just over 51,000 Antiguans and Barbudans are eligible to vote. Voter turnout was around 90 percent in 2014.

Browne says the government wants to protect half a billion US dollars worth of developments currently under construction in the tourism-dependent country, and provide investors with stability.

One of the most prominent ?- and controversial -- projects is a $250 million mega resort being built by Hollywood star Robert De Niro on Barbuda which was devastated by Hurricane Irma in September.

Lowering the cost of living in the country of 100,000 people is high on the agenda.

Browne, a former businessman and banker, has pledged to reduce electricity bills, along with the cost of land, and provide more affordable housing, under the slogan "Rebuilding Together." His wife Maria is also running for a seat on an ABLP ticket.

On Sunday, thousands of Browne's supporters donned the party's red colors and walked alongside a motorcade in an event that culminated in a public rally.

The "Delivering Hope" campaign of the main opposition group, the United Progressive Party (UPP), cites revitalization of the tourism and agricultural sectors as key priorities.

Fifty-three candidates will vie for seats in the 17 single-member constituencies -- of which the ABLP currently holds 14 -- in a first-past-the-post system.

The ruling party is alone in presenting a full slate of 17 candidates. The UPP, led by former finance minister Harold Lovell, has put forward 16.

A new party, the Democratic National Alliance, headed by current lawmaker and former UPP representative Joanne Massiah has registered 13 candidates.

There is a handful of smaller parties, a single independent runner and one representing the Barbuda People's Movement (BPM) contesting the small island's sole seat.

Polling stations opened at 6:00 am (1000 GMT) and are due to close at 6:00 pm. Alcohol sales are restricted during those hours and all public schools are closed, as many are serving as polling stations.

Teams representing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are observing the elections.

On its path through the Caribbean in September, Irma caused "absolute devastation" on Barbuda where up to 30 percent of properties were demolished, and 95 percent damaged, Browne had said at the time.

After a 10-year hiatus, voters returned Browne's Labour Party to power during the last ballot four years ago, when he pledged to economically transform the country.

The country became fully independent from Britain in 1981. </s> The people of Antigua Barbuda are going to the polls today.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne called an election one year before it is constitutionally due.

He said he wants to protect incoming projects valued at billions of dollars.

But Opposition Leader Harold Lovell has insisted that the government had no choice but to face the electorate early because of the level of corruption and mismanagement of the economy.

Speaking on the eve of the General Election yesterday, Mr. Browne was confident of a sweeping victory.

But the opposition United Progressive Party is also confident.

On a political platform last weekend, UPP veteran Vilmouth Daniel assured supporters the party is in good hands….with their leader Harold Lovell.

In the 2014 General Election, the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party won 14 of the 17 seats with the remainder going to the United Progressive Party. </s> ST. JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda: The prime minister of hurricane-ravaged Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, led his ruling party to a landslide victory in snap elections, claiming 15 out of 17 legislative seats, results showed Thursday.

Browne has pledged "egalitarian policies" and half a billion US dollars worth of development projects he says would create more jobs and economic opportunities in the Caribbean twin island nation of 100,000 people.

His Antigua Barbuda Labour Party, which has led the Caribbean country since 2014, returns to power for a second consecutive term, seizing all but one seat taken by the main opposition, the United Progressive Party (UPP), and another won by the Barbuda People's Movement (BPM).

Browne announced general elections on Feb 24, 15 months before a constitutionally mandated deadline, giving opposition parties less than four weeks to prepare.

On its path through the Caribbean in September, Hurricane Irma devastated the 161km² Barbuda, where up to 30% of properties were demolished, and 95% damaged.

As a result, the government decided against opening polling stations on Barbuda, forcing the estimated 400 Barbudans who have since returned home to travel to Antigua to cast their ballot.

The government has promised to pay for related transport, accommodation and meal expenses.

BPM leader Trevor Walker unseated ABLP incumbent Arthur Nibbs, declaring his "decisive win" was because Barbudans were "fed up" with their treatment by the Antiguan government.

Turnout among the 51,258 people eligible to vote was believed to be lower than in previous years, with analysts blaming a lack of a clear, cohesive UPP platform.

UPP leader Harold Lovell, a former finance minister and political stalwart, failed to reclaim the seat he lost in 2014, and was defeated by the ABLP's Melford Nicholas for a second time.

It was also a disappointing night for a new party, the Democratic National Alliance headed by former UPP representative Joanne Massiah. It failed to win a single seat.

Four smaller parties and one independent runner were among the remainder of the 53 candidates vying for seats in a first-past-the-post system.

History was made with Maria Bird-Browne becoming the first premier's wife to be elected to office. The ABLP's Bird-Browne, 26, is the niece of former Prime Minister Lester Bird. — AFP
Voters in Antigua and Barbuda go to the polls, with Barbudan residents having to travel to Antigua in order to participate.