A second political party has confirmed it will not contest the April 30th general election, as the Antigua and Barbuda National Congress (ABNC) joins the Democratic National Alliance in sitting out the upcoming poll.
The ABNC issued a press release citing its status as a developing political entity still in the process of building its foundation. "As a new entity, we continue to build, listen and prepare in order to serve the people of Antigua and Barbuda the right way, with steadfast leadership," the party stated.
While stepping aside for this electoral cycle, the ABNC took direct aim at Prime Minister Gaston Browne's decision to call early polls. The party acknowledged his constitutional authority to do so but made clear it harboured reservations about the motivation behind the move.
"While Prime Minister Gaston Browne has the constitutional authority to call early elections, we wish to emphatically state that the process should primarily serve the interest of the people and not political convenience or timing," the statement read.
Despite its absence from the ballot, the party signalled its commitment to a longer-term mission. "We continue in hope for a purposeful future and the opportunity to deliver meaningful change," it said.
The ABNC is led by Gail Pero-Weston, an Antigua-based attorney who previously ran as an independent candidate for the St. John's Rural South seat in the 2023 general election.
With both the ABNC and the Democratic National Alliance withdrawing, the April 30th contest is set to be fought primarily between the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and the opposition United Progressive Party.
