Browne Announces April 30 Election Date as ABLP Launch Draws Massive Crowd
Thousands of supporters packed the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) headquarters Tuesday night, transforming People’s Place into a sea of red as Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that the country’s general election will be held on April 30, 2026, with Nomination Day set for April 13.
The announcement came at the climax of a high-energy campaign launch that featured chants, music and sustained applause, as Browne framed the election as a critical decision point for the country’s future.
He told supporters the ABLP is seeking to win all 17 seats and described the campaign as a “movement of the masses,” positioning the party as inclusive and nationally driven.
Browne made the case for a fourth consecutive term by pointing to what he described as a decade of transformation under ABLP leadership since 2014.
He said his administration stabilized an economy that had been marked by high debt, fiscal deficits and declining confidence, noting that the government has since reduced debt levels, achieved fiscal surpluses and restored investor confidence.
The prime minister argued that the country has moved “from struggle to strength,” citing the recovery of more than 10,000 jobs lost prior to 2014 and broader economic expansion.
He also highlighted social policies, including the removal of personal income tax, increases in the minimum wage and public sector salaries, and higher pension payments, including a minimum government pension of $1,000 with additional increases planned.
Browne pointed to expanded social programmes such as food assistance and tax reductions on essential goods, saying these measures were aimed at easing the cost of living and improving quality of life.
On infrastructure, he cited major investments in roads, housing and water, noting that thousands of homes have been built or supported through government programmes and that water production has increased significantly through expanded capacity.
He said these initiatives reflect what he described as a government focused on tangible delivery rather than rhetoric.
Browne also outlined gains in tourism, noting record arrivals in recent years and pointing to major new hotel developments, including high-end resorts intended to generate better-paying jobs.
He said investments in education have expanded access to higher learning, including the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, with plans to further expand programmes and offer free tuition in the future.
Healthcare improvements were also highlighted, including expanded services such as kidney transplants, new diagnostic equipment and the planned reopening of an upgraded cancer centre.
Browne said his administration remains committed to empowering citizens and ensuring that economic growth benefits all sectors of society, from small businesses to workers and entrepreneurs.
He contrasted this with what he described as a divided opposition, arguing that the election is about stability, leadership and the continuation of national progress.
The prime minister urged voters to ensure they are prepared to participate, encouraging those who have not updated their voter identification cards to do so ahead of the polls.
The April 30 election will determine whether the ABLP secures a fourth consecutive term, as campaigning intensifies in the weeks leading up to Nomination Day on April 13.
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