Grenadian general election, 2008

Grenadian general election, 2008
Grenada
July 8, 2008
All 15 seats to the House of Representatives of Grenada
  First party Second party
 
Leader Tillman Thomas Keith Mitchell
Party NDC NNP
Last election 7 seats, 45.6% 8 seats, 48.0%
Seats won 11 4
Seat change +4 –4
Popular vote 29,007 27,189
Percentage 50.97% 47.77%
Swing +5.4% –0.2%

Colours denote the winning party, as shown in the main table of results.
PM before election

Keith Mitchell
NNP

 Elected PM

Tillman Thomas
NDC

Grenada
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A general election was held in Grenada on 8 July 2008. Out of a total of fifteen seats, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) won eleven seats and the governing New National Party (NNP) won four seats, thus bringing the NDC to power for the first time since 1995.[1] The NNP was looking for a fourth consecutive term in power, which would have been a first in Grenadian history.[2]

Campaigning

In its election manifesto, which it debuted on June 25, 2008, the NNP promised the creation of 4,000 jobs, along with 4% growth in the economy.[3]

Pre-election polling

A poll conducted by the Caribbean Development Research Services from June 6 to June 9 showed the NNP with 36.4% support, the NDC with 32.3% support, the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) with 1.1% support, and the People's Labour Movement (PLM) with 0.8% support.[3] The two later formed an electoral alliance, the Labour Platform.

Reactions to the election

The Organization of American States (OAS) observed the elections, and it described "the electoral process in Grenada during the General Elections as extremely positive, with relatively few areas that could be improved."[4] All of the polling sites were observed, and voters were calm and well-behaved.

A political party in nearby Dominica, the People's Democratic Movement, attributed the victory to Mitchell's "arrogance, intolerance to criticism and lack of consultation with the people" during his time in office.[5]

Swearing in of Thomas, Cabinet formation

NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded the NNP's Keith Mitchell as Prime Minister of Grenada on July 9.[1][6] He was sworn in at the Grenada Trade Centre in Grand Anse, St. George's by Governor-General Daniel Williams.[6] On this occasion, Thomas promised "openness and transparency" and said that he would practice "the politics of inclusion".[1] For his part, Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas.[6] Thomas's cabinet, composed of 17 members, was sworn in at the National Stadium on July 13. In addition to being Prime Minister, Thomas took the portfolios of Legal Affairs, National Security, Information, and Public Administration. Two members of non-governmental organizations who were not affiliated with the NDC were included in the cabinet: Franca Bernadine as Minister of Education and Human Resources, and Jimmy Bristol as Attorney-General.[7]

Results

 Summary of the 8 July 2008 Grenadan House of Representatives election results
Parties Votes % +/– Seats +/–
National Democratic Congress 29,007 50.97 +5.4 11 +4
New National Party 27,189 47.77 –0.2 4 –4
Labour Platform 478 0.84 –2.4 — ±0
Good Old Democratic Party 3 0.01 — — —
Independents 12 0.02 — — —
Invalid votes 222 0.39 —
Total (turnout 80.3%) 56,911 100.0   15  
Registered voters 70,869
Source: Grenada Broadcast

In one notable outcome of the election, Deputy Prime Minister Gregory Bowen of the NNP was defeated in his constituency of St. George South East by Pastor Karl Hood of the NDC.[6] Mitchell was re-elected from the constituency of St. George North West.[8] Complete results are as follows:[9]

Seat location Winner Party
Carriacou and Petite Martinique Elvin Nimrod New National Party
Saint Andrew North East Roland Bhola New National Party
Saint Andrew North West Alleyne Walker National Democratic Congress
Saint Andrew South East Patrick Simmons National Democratic Congress
Saint Andrew South West Sylvester Quarless National Democratic Congress
Saint David Denis Lett National Democratic Congress
Saint George North East Nazim Burke National Democratic Congress
Saint George North West Keith Mitchell New National Party
Saint George South Glynis Roberts National Democratic Congress
Saint George South East Karl Hood National Democratic Congress
Town of St. George Peter David National Democratic Congress
Saint John Michael Church National Democratic Congress
Saint Mark Clarice Modest-Curwen New National Party
Saint Patrick East Tillman Thomas National Democratic Congress
Saint Patrick West Joseph Gilbert National Democratic Congress

References

  1. 1 2 3 "New Grenada prime minister vows to boost economy, lower cost of living". Associated Press (International Herald Tribune), July 9, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  2. ↑ "Grenada opposition wins general election". Jamaica Observer. 2008-07-10. Archived from the original on 2008-07-11. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  3. 1 2 "Ruling Party Leads All in Grenada", Angus Reid Global Monitor, June 29, 2008.
  4. ↑ "OAS observers report few problems with Grenada election process". Caribbean Net News. 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  5. ↑ "Talks of Grenada's election buzzing in Dominica". Dominica News Online. 2008-07-10. Archived from the original on 2008-08-03. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  6. 1 2 3 4 George Worme, "Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada", The Nation (Barbados), July 10, 2008.
  7. ↑ Linda Straker, "Seventeen Member Cabinet Appointed in Grenada", CaribWorldNews, July 14, 2008.
  8. ↑ "A DECISIVE VICTORY: LET THERE BE NO DOUBT", GrenadaBroadcast.com.
  9. ↑ "New prime minister of Grenada sworn in". Caribbean Net News. 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
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