1998 Vincentian general election explained

Country:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Type:parliamentary
Previous Election:1994 Vincentian general election
Previous Year:1994
Next Election:2001 Vincentian general election
Next Year:2001
Seats For Election:15 seats in the House of Assembly
Majority Seats:8
Election Date:15 June 1998
Turnout:67.36% (1.75pp)
Image1:James F. Mitchell 1986 (cropped).jpg
Leader1:James Mitchell
Party1:New Democratic Party (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Popular Vote1:23,258
Percentage1:45.31%
Swing1: 9.64pp
Last Election1:54.95%, 12 seats
Seats1:8
Seat Change1: 4
Leader2:Vincent Beache
Party2:Unity Labour Party
Popular Vote2:28,025
Percentage2:54.60%
Swing2: 10.64pp
Last Election2:43.96%, 3 seats
Seats2:7
Seat Change2: 4
Prime Minister
Before Election:James Mitchell
Before Party:New Democratic Party (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
After Election:James Mitchell
After Party:New Democratic Party (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

General elections were held in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 15 June 1998.[1] Although the Unity Labour Party (ULP) received a majority of the public vote, the New Democratic Party (NDP) won a majority of seats, the first time the party receiving a majority of the vote had failed to win the elections since 1966. Voter turnout was 67%.[2]

Campaign

The ruling NDP led by Prime Minister James Mitchell was opposed by the ULP headed by Vincent Beache; the ULP had been founded in 1994 by a merger of the Movement for National Unity (MNU) and the Saint Vincent Labour Party. The election date had been announced on 18 May.[3]

During the campaign, the NDP advocated tax cuts and the promotion of tourism and agricultural development, while the ULP called for job creation, economic development and improved social services.[4]

Results

When polling results giving the NDP eight seats and the ULP seven seats were announced, Beache declared that he could not accept the outcome and called for fresh elections, alleging voter intimidation, fraud, and bribery; this was promptly rebutted by the NDP. Final results showed the ULP had received 54.6% of valid votes.

By constituency

ConstituencyULPNDPPWPValid Total Turnout Registered
Votes%Votes%Votes%
North Windward1,817 49.2% 1,875 50.8% 3,692 3,704 79% 4,668
North Central Windward2,943 78.1% 827 21.9% 3,770 3,789 67% 5,697
South Central Windward1,811 48.5% 1,920 51.5% 3,731 3,751 70% 5,332
South Windward2,361 67.3% 1,102 31.4% 45 1.3% 3,508 3,521 69% 5,086
Marriaqua2,504 63.3% 1,453 36.7% 3957 3,966 69% 5,724
East St. George2,514 62.3% 1,522 37.7% 4,036 4,046 68% 5,993
West St. George2,366 62.5% 1,421 37.5% 3,787 3,803 65% 5,819
East Kingstown1,655 49.6% 1,682 50.4% 3,337 3,346 60% 5,552
Central Kingstown2,006 56.3% 1,558 43.7% 3,564 3,578 62% 5,792
West Kingstown1,502 47.0% 1,691 53.0% 3,193 3,208 59% 5,403
South Leeward2,014 48.8% 2,117 51.2% 4,131 4,147 69% 5,995
Central Leeward2,183 56.7% 1,670 43.3% 3,853 3,861 74% 5,225
North Leeward1,658 46.9% 1,880 53.1% 3,538 3,543 72% 4,932
Northern Grenadines220 11.7% 1,668 88.3% 1,888 1,898 59% 3,236
Southern Grenadines471 35.1% 872 64.9% 1,343 1,352 67% 2,015
Total28,025 54.6% 23,258 45.3% 45 0.1% 51,328 51,513 67% 76,469
align=left colspan=11Source: Caribbean Elections [5]

Aftermath

On 17 June Mitchell was sworn in for his fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister; his new Cabinet took office the next day. In December 1998 Beache resigned as leader of the ULP, and Ralph Gonsalves was elected in his place. However, Beache remained as leader of the opposition in the House of Assembly.[4]

Notes and References

  1. [Dieter Nohlen]
  2. Nohlen, p604
  3. Web site: SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: parliamentary elections House of Assembly, 1998 . archive.ipu.org.
  4. Web site: General Election Results - 15 June 1998. Caribbean Elections . 1 December 2017.
  5. Web site: St. Vincent and the Grenadines General Election Results 1998. Caribbean Elections.