Prime Minister Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) is eyeing an unprecedented fifth consecutive term in power.

His main rival is Dr Godwin E. L. Friday of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

‘Not a time for a trainee’- PM Gonsalves

Gonsalves, 74, who has had the distinction of contesting all general elections in the country since it attained political independence from Britain in 1979 and, according to CMC, is hoping that his Unity Labour Party (ULP) will have a more comfortable margin of victory than the slender one seat it managed in the last two general elections for control of the 15-member Parliament.

“I put my bucket down among the people in love and caring and my runs are on the tins. Those who want to beat them off have to go to the wicket of leadership, but in these difficult and perilous times, this is not a time for a trainee.

“This is not a time for an apprentice. This is the time for a seasoned warrior and a master builder who has a record of service to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Gonsalves has said of his thrust towards his much hoped for “Five in a Row” victory.

‘We have prepared the grounds for winning’- Dr Friday

Friday, 61, the Member of Parliament for the Northern Grenadines since 2001, is leading the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) into a general election for the first time, having replaced the economist Arnhim Eustace, the former finance minister, who last served in government when the NDP was booted out of office in a 2001 routing that ended its 17-year stint in office.

“I know that they (ULP) want to get into our head but we have prepared the grounds for winning this election free and fair,” Friday told party supporters

Friday, speaking further at a ceremony where the two main political parties had signed the Code of Conduct, emphasised that it was “important that we understand the gravity of the process of voting.

“Those selected must reflect the will of the people” and “all actions that demean this process do not guarantee that the people are served, and are led by the party and the political leadership of their choice”, he said.

The NDP’s challenge of the defeat in the last general election is still before the courts and Friday has on numerous occasions defended the decision, saying it is important for the population to be fully aware of what had transpired in the December 2015 election.

98 119 people eligible to vote

Deputy Supervisor of Elections, Sylvester King said the Special Voters Registration period ended on October 24, 2020, and that every person who is 18 years of age or older on or before October 24, 2020, was entitled to be registered as a voter, and must ensure that they complete their registration during the Special Registration Period.

The voters list shows that 98 119 people are eligible to vote during the 10 hour period that begins at 7:00am local time.

Live coverage

Live coverage of the SVG general elections will be aired from 5:00pm on Nov 5, 2020 via CBN Radio 90.9FM; CBN Television Channel 101; Flow TV & live online @www.cbnvirginislands.com