THE VALLEY, Anguilla – Anguillans are heading to the polls this week in a highly anticipated general election that will shape the leadership of this British Overseas Territory for the next term. While the main voting day is set for Wednesday, select groups and senior citizens have been granted the opportunity to cast their ballots early on Tuesday.
The election comes at a time of heightened political discourse, with key debates centering on economic policies, governance reforms, and Anguilla’s growing digital economy. A total of 34 candidates are contesting for 11 of the 13 seats in the House of Assembly, with the ruling Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM), led by Premier Ellis L. Webster, facing stiff competition from the Anguilla United Front (AUF), under the leadership of Cora Richardson-Hodge.
A High-Stakes Political Showdown
Beyond the two dominant parties, the Anguilla Reliable Team (ART) has also entered the race, alongside five independent candidates, including former legislator Palmavon Webster and political newcomers Avenella Griffith, Keith Fabian, Yusuf Abdul Ali, and Lanny Hobson.
Anguilla’s electoral system allows voters to select representatives through two voting methods: seven members are elected in single-member constituencies via first-past-the-post, while the remaining four are chosen in an at-large system, where voters can select up to four candidates. A total of seven seats are required to secure a majority in the House.
Pressing Issues on the Ballot
The election campaign has been marked by intense discussions on the island’s economic trajectory, with the controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST) emerging as a divisive issue. The handling of Anguilla’s lucrative artificial intelligence domain name, AI, has also been a focal point, along with concerns over crime, the cost of living, and the future of the tourism industry—one of the island’s economic pillars.
New Voting Measures in Place
In an effort to streamline the electoral process, authorities have introduced voter identification cards to expedite voting procedures. However, Supervisor of Elections Rodney Rey has clarified that those who applied for advance voter registration after the deadline will have to wait until the general election day to cast their votes.
With an electorate of approximately 12,432 registered voters, the outcome of this election will set the course for Anguilla’s governance and economic strategy for the years ahead. As the island braces for an eventful election, all eyes remain on whether the ruling APM can retain power or if a shift in leadership is on the horizon.
