Election Date: July 8, 2008

Abstract: At stake: House of Representatives

At stake: House of Representatives

Background

The Caribbean territory of Grenada attained independence from the United Kingdom in 1974. Eric Gairy—founder of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP)—became the country’s first prime minister.

In 1979, Maurice Bishop led a revolt and became the de-facto leader. Bishop, who had the support of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, was killed in a military coup on Oct. 19, 1983.

General Hudson Austin, the coup leader, instated a military regime. Six days into his rule, Austin faced a United States-led invasion, while Ronald Reagan was in power, in October 1983.

The events surrounding Austin’s coup marked Grenada. Seventeen members of Bishop’s People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) and Grenada’s Army were convicted by a court for their participation in the coup and Bishop’s assassination. Fourteen of them were sentenced to death—including Austin—and three to 40 years in jail. The sentences prompted international outrage; activists around the world accused the new government of manipulating the trials to seek the convictions. Following a widespread campaign, the 14 men sentenced to death were granted life in prison.

In October 2003, a report by the human rights watchdog Amnesty International stated that the trials of the group known as the Grenada 17 were a miscarriage of justice.

Democratic elections returned to Grenada in 1984. A centrist coalition led by Herbert A. Blaize won a parliamentary majority, as peacekeeping forces began to withdraw from the country.

In the 1995 parliamentary elections, the centre-right New National Party (NNP) led by Keith C. Mitchell won a majority of seats in the legislature. Mitchell was re-elected in 1999 and 2003.

Final results of the 2003 ballot narrowly gave Mitchell a third term, as the NNP captured eight seats, with the liberal opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) winning the remaining seven.

Click here for Grenada’s 2003 Legislative Election Tracker

Grenada’ population of just under 90,000 has enjoyed some financial stability due to tourism and offshore banking. The country is considered to have one of the fastest-growing economies in the area, although poverty is still rampant.

In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan practically destroyed the country’s infrastructure and damaged Grenada’s main crop and source of income, the nutmeg. Thirty people died, and both the main prison and the prime minister’s residence were destroyed. Another Hurricane hit the country again in 2005, and caused major damages in the north side of the island.

2008 House of Representatives Election

Grenada must hold a legislative election this year according to its political calendar. On Jun. 1, Grenadian prime minister Keith C. Mitchell announced that the next election would take place on Jul. 8. The House of Representatives was dissolved on Jun. 3.

Mitchell called on voters to grant a fourth term to his New National Party (NNP), saying, "We have had a lot of work done, we have a lot more to do, we cannot rest, we cannot change now, we haven’t reached where the NNP wants to go."

Tillman Thomas, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), a liberal party, responded to the announcement assuring that the NDC is ready to face an election, saying, "All systems are in place to ensure that the party succeeds at the polls, and over the next few weeks the party will be intensifying its campaign in order to secure a convincing victory on Election Day."

On Jun. 25, the NNP launched its electoral manifesto, which includes a pledge to create 4,000 new jobs in the next five years, and predicts an economic growth of 4.0 per cent. Mitchell declared: “Our manifesto is not replete with unattainable promise. This is a contract, and we take contracts seriously.”

Voting took place on Jul. 8. Final results gave the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) 50.97 per cent of the vote and 11 seats. The New National Party (NNP) finished second, with 47.77 per cent and four mandates. Turnout was tabled at 85 per cent.

Independent observers with the Organization of American States (OAS) reported few irregularities, and described the electoral process as “extremely positive.” Deputy prime minister Gregory Bowen was defeated by Karl Hood in the St. George South East constituency.

On Jul. 9, Mitchell accepted his party’s defeat, saying, “I think it was very clear that the people were voting for change and I think the message of change, over let the progress continue, worked out and I think that’s the fundamental factor here. (...) I would wish to congratulate Tillman Thomas and his team and wish him the best.”

Thomas declared: “We were well organized, we got our message over to the people and we had a very good program for developing the country.”

On Jul. 9, Thomas was sworn in as Grenada’s new prime minister. In his inauguration speech, Thomas vowed to expand Grenada’s economy and help families lower their cost of living. He also vowed to run a clean government, adding, “I will be displaying the politics of inclusion by partnering with everyone. (...) You can depend on us for openness and transparency.”

Political Players

Queen: Elizabeth II
Governor-General: Daniel Williams
Prime minister: Tillman Thomas - NDC

Legislative Branch: The Parliament has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 15 members, elected to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies. The Senate has 13 appointed members.

Results of Last Election:

House of Representatives - Jul. 8, 2008

	Vote%	Seats
National Democratic Congress (NDC)	50.97%	11
New National Party (NNP)	47.77%	4
Labour Platform (LP)	0.84%	--
Good Ole Democracy (GOD)	0.01%	--
Independents	0.02%	--

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