2025 St. James North by-election
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| Turnout | 37.85% ( 2.95pp) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Boundary of St. James in Barbados | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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A by-election was held in the Barbadian constituency of St James North on 21 May 2025,[1] following the resignation of incumbent Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Member of Parliament Edmund Hinkson,[2] who had represented the constituency since the 2013 Barbadian general election. It was the first by-election held after Barbados became a republic.
Background
Member of Parliament Edmund Hinkson, who was the representative for constituency of St. James North in the House of Assembly of Barbados, resigned from the elected position on 25 April 2025 triggering a by-election. That same day Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced the date of the by-election and 26 April 2025 and President Sandra Mason issued a Writ for the election to take place. In accordance to section 47, subsection two of Constitution of Barbados, vacant seats in the lower house must have an by-election within 90 days.[3] Nomination day was announced to be 6 May 2025 and election day 21 May 2025.
Previous election
St. James North
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLP | Edmund Hinkson | 2,536 | 80.7 | −3.0 | |
| DLP | Charles Worrell | 608 | 19.3 | +6.0 | |
| Majority | 1,928 | 61.3 | −9.1 | ||
| Turnout | 3,159 | 40.80 | |||
| Registered electors | 7,726 | ||||
| BLP hold | Swing | -4.5 | |||
Campaign
Contesting parties
| Party | Position | Ideology | Leader
(since) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbados Labour Party | Centre-left | Social democracy Republicanism |
Mia Mottley (February 2013)[4] | |
| Democratic Labour Party | Centre-left | Social democracy Republicanism |
Ralph Thorne (February 2024)[5] | |
| Bajan Free Party | Government transparency Anti-corruption |
Alex Mitchell (October 2012)[6] | ||
| Community Empowerment Party | Steffanie Williams (May 2025)[7] | |||
Conduct
The Electoral and Boundaries Commission reported all seven polling stations opened on time and voting process had no major glitches during the voting period. A few electoral infractions were investigated after reports of DLP election posters being within 100 yards of polling stations which is prohibited by law. The commission, after investigations, ordered party officials to remove them which was completed.[8][9] The election was also praised by National Organisation of the Disabled (BARNOD) and disabled voters for the improvements to the voting process for disabled people citing an easier and smoother procedure than previous elections.[10]
Results
Chad Blackman won the election, keeping the seat in BLP hands.[11] Turnout was 37.85%.[12]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLP | Chad Blackman | 3,154 | 84.27 | +3.57 | |
| DLP | Felicia Dujon | 468 | 14.48 | −4.82 | |
| Community Empowerment Party | Steffanie Williams | 21 | 0.64 | New | |
| BFP | Alex Mitchell | 7 | 0.21 | New | |
| Majority | 2,686 | 57.93 | |||
| Total valid votes | 3,219 | 99.62 | |||
| Turnout | 3231 | 37.85 | |||
| Registered electors | 8,538 | ||||
| BLP hold | Swing | +3.57 | |||
Aftermath
The winner of the election, Chad Blackman, was sworn in by the President of Barbados Sandra Mason as a Member of Parliament the next day on 22 May 2025. He resumed his duties as Minister of Educational Transformation.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Clarke, Sherrylyn (25 April 2025). "St James North by-election on May 21". nationnews.com. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "Edmund Hinkson steps down as MP after 3 terms – Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Clarke, Sherrylyn (25 April 2025). "St James North by-election on May 21". nationnews.com. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "Mottley replaces Arthur as opposition leader in Barbados". Caribbean360. 26 February 2013. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014.
- ^ @KevzPolitics (19 February 2024). "#BREAKING - CBC: Barbados Leader of Opposition Ralph Thorne announced as the new Political Leader of the Democratic Labour Party - granting the party its first seat in Parliament since 2018. Dr Ronnie Yearwood will remain DLP President" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Caribbean Political Parties | Bajan Free Party". caribbeanelections.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ Moore, Shanna (6 May 2025). "Alternative candidates enter St James North race to challenge status quo". Barbados Today. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Moore, Shanna (21 May 2025). "EBC probes reports of electioneering violations in St James North". Barbados Today. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Moore, Shanna (22 May 2025). "EBC orders DLP posters pulled from polling station precincts". Barbados Today. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Graham, Lourianne (22 May 2025). "Disabled voters applaud by-election access". Barbados Today. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Terry (22 May 2025). "Chad Blackman wins St. James North by-election". nationnews.com. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "Elections Archives". nationnews.com. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Moore, Shanna (22 May 2025). "Chad Blackman sworn in as St James North MP". Barbados Today. Retrieved 22 May 2025.