St. Lucians go to the polls today to elect a new government, with both major parties appealing to voters and seeking divine guidance in the process. Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre, leading the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) into a general election for the second consecutive time, remains confident that his party will maintain or expand its 13-seat hold from the July 2021 election. Political observers noted that several factors could influence voter decisions, including national leadership, parliamentary representation, candidate quality, and party loyalty. The Electoral Department reported 44 candidates and eight independents contesting the election, though the contest is widely regarded as a straight fight between the SLP and UWP. The elections will be observed by CARICOM and OAS teams, with 180,000 registered voters. Chief Elections Officer Herman St. Helen said registration surged following the announcement of the election date, particularly among young voters. Turnout in the last general election in 2021 was just over 51 percent, continuing a long-term decline in voter participation.
