Antigua Nomination Day

Supporters of the two main political parties in Antigua are gearing up for general elections next month after candidates filed nomination papers yesterday.



The United Progressive Party of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has nominated 16 candidates.



And the main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) held a buoyant motorcade through the streets of St John’s, with loudspeakers blasting campaign songs and supporters waving flags and other campaign paraphernalia.



In all, 42 candidates have declared their interest in running in the upcoming poll.



Both the UPP and the ALP nominated candidates in all 16 constituencies on Antigua, while the ALP and the UPP-aligned Barbuda People’s Movement put forward candidates to vie for the lone seat on the sister island.



The fledgling Organisation for National Development which is contesting its first general election, nominated four candidates.



Four independent candidates have also filed the necessary papers and paid the required 187 US dollar deposit to contest the poll.



ALP leader Lester Bird has said this is the last time he intends to seek political office.



Bird, 71, served as prime minister for 10 years before being defeated by the Baldwin Spencer-led UPP in 2004.