All seven polling stations in the St. Philip North constituency opened on schedule at 6 a.m. Monday, as eligible voters began casting ballots to choose a new parliamentary representative in a closely watched by-election.
According to Antigua News Room, the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission confirmed that all polling locations across the constituency were operational at the designated start time, allowing voters to begin the process early in the morning.
The by-election was called following the resignation of longtime St. Philip North representative Sir Robin Yearwood, whose departure brought to a close a parliamentary career spanning five decades.
Voters are choosing between two candidates: Randy Baltimore of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and Alex Browne of the United Progressive Party. Browne, a former senator, resigned his Senate seat to contest the constituency.
Election officials also noted a historic first for the nation's democratic process — transparent ballot boxes are being used in Antigua and Barbuda for the first time, as part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency in the electoral process. Polls are scheduled to close later Monday evening, after which ballots will be counted.
