End of The Road For Ralph Gonsalves? St. Vincent And The Grenadines Head To The Polls Today

UPDATE (28/11/25): Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ 24-year reign as Prime Minister is now over following a stunning and historic political upset in this election, as voters turned decisively against the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP). Gonsalves’ party was reduced to just one (1) seat in Parliament, marking its most devastating defeat in modern history.

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General Elections are underway today (Thursday 27th November, 2025) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), whereby 103,524 citizens are registered to vote at the 250 polling stations to elect a new Government. This is an important election that political observers say could signal the end of the political career of current Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, 79.

Gonsalves has previously accused Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, of having operatives from her United National Congress (UNC) party involved in the election in SVG, alleging they were motivated by access to lands. In response, however, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said she “categorically refute and reject these allegations.”

Observers note that voter turnout today in SVG will play a critical role in shaping the political landscape of the country.

Gonsalves’ leadership has been questioned by some people in the run-up to today’s election, according to Historian and former Head of the University of the West Indies’ global campus in SVG, Adrian Fraser. He said, “You have the leader of that party who is 79. Next year, he would be 80. So there are people who are calling for a change and who are wondering why the leader, the Prime Minister, would want to continue at this age.”

Gonsalves, who leads the Unity Labour Party (ULP), is the longest serving Head of Government in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and is hoping for a sixth consecutive victory. The ruling ULP has been in power since 2001. Gonsalves, however, faces an uphill task against the opposition’s New Democratic Party (NDP), helmed by 66-year-old Attorney, Dr. Godwin Friday, who took the reins in 2016 and has been in Parliament since 2001. The opposition has accused the ruling party of “failure and broken promises,” citing the rising cost of living and unemployment, especially among young people.

Gonsalves has overseen the building of the country’s first international Airport, which facilitated a tourism boom that has attracted top hotel brands such as Sandals and Holiday Inn. He has been a global champion of climate justice and slavery reparations, and has also prioritized education, allowing people to get undergraduate and postgraduate degrees through University scholarships, who would not otherwise have been able to afford it.

Both the ULP and the NDP are fielding candidates in all fifteen (15) constituencies.

The ULP currently holds nine (9) seats, while the NDP holds six (6) seats from the last election. The NDP has campaigned on promises of economic reform, job creation, and youth-focused initiatives, including a controversial “citizenship-by-investment” program.

Meanwhile, the National Liberation Movement (NLM), represented by its leader, Dr. Doris Charles, is contesting the South Leeward seat, while another female candidate, Kenna Questelles, the lone independent in the race, is contesting West St. George.

Polls are expected to remain open throughout the day, with preliminary results anticipated later this evening.

More on this as it becomes available. 

[Source: CNC3]