The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has secured a commanding mandate in the 2026 General Elections, capturing 15 of the 17 seats in the House of Representatives. The official declaration, released by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) on April 30, 2026, confirms a fourth consecutive term for Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
Election Results Breakdown
The ABLP’s victory represents a significant gain of six seats compared to the 2023 elections. The party dominated the polls with approximately 60.79% of the popular vote, totaling 23,818 votes.
The opposition landscape saw a major shift:
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Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP): 15 seats (+6 change).
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United Progressive Party (UPP): 1 seat (–5 change). Leader Jamale Pringle was the sole UPP candidate to retain a seat, winning in All Saints East & St. Luke.
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Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM): 1 seat (No change). Trevor Walker successfully defended the Barbuda constituency.
Performance by Constituency
The ABLP swept every constituency on the island of Antigua except for All Saints East & St. Luke. Notable individual victories include:
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Gaston Browne (St. John’s City West): Retained his seat with 77.8% of the vote.
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Maria Browne (St. John’s Rural East): Secured 68.15% of the vote.
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Randy Baltimore (St. Philip North): Won decisively with 73.58%, following his earlier success in the March 2026 by-election.
Voter Participation and Observation
The election saw a total of 39,515 votes cast from a pool of 63,313 registered voters, resulting in a 62.41% turnout. This marked a decrease of approximately 7.93 percentage points from previous participation levels.
The process was monitored by the Commonwealth Observer Group, led by Dr. Pelonomi Venson. Observers described the election day as orderly, with citizens demonstrating a clear commitment to the democratic process.
Looking Ahead
Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s early call for elections—originally expected in 2028—has resulted in a strengthened majority that grants the ABLP a clear path for its legislative agenda. Conversely, the UPP faces a period of reflection after losing five of its previous six seats.
May 1, 2026, has been declared a public holiday in celebration of the democratic process.
