A rather subtle atmosphere surrounded the biennial Barbuda Council elections, with many left on the edge of how voting would go. Supporters of the Barbuda Peoples Movement (BPM) remained sure of their victory, while supporters of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) felt like voting could go either way.

But at the end of Wednesday night, cheers rang out outside a classroom at the Holy Trinity School for the five victors -Melanie Beazer, Nadia George, Jackie Frank, Wayde Burton, and Nico Antonio – who will now serve alongside four other elected officials and two ex-officio members to lead the local government on Barbuda.

Of the 1,328 registered voters, 775 people came out to vote, representing a 58.36 per cent voter turnout. People trickled in throughout the day with the elderly first to line up before the polls opened up at 7am. Still at about after 4pm, there were residents who were still scrambling to replace their voter I.D cards, perhaps a sign of the indifference for politics that has developed on the sister island. Turnout for that election is traditionally about 50% with just about 800 people turning out to vote.

The first ballot out of the first box A-C went to labour party candidates followed by several BPM votes and mixed voting among independents, particularly Jermaine Desouza who received a total of 178 votes compared to his independent competitor Hasketh Daniel who received 58 total votes. Counting started at approximately 6:40 pm and ended at 11:45pm.

Land rights and the future development of Barbuda was the major issue this time around with the BPM wanting land tenure situation to remain communal while the ABLP-led government has been pushing for land registration to allow persons to buy, sell and leverage their properties against loans.

Kenrick Joseph, 73, said his biggest concern is the rapid development of Barbuda. “Everybody right now hanging on to what they have, and me ah heng on to what me have.”

The full slate included two independent candidates, alongside five nominees each from the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) and the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).

Representing the ABLP were Bernard Christian, Bonneitha John-Desouza, and returning candidates Mackeisha Desouza, Orlando Morris, and former government minister Arthur Nibbs.

The BPM lineup features Melanie Beazer, Nadia George, Jackie Frank, Wayde Burton, and Nico Antonio. Meanwhile, independent candidates Hasketh Daniel and Jermaine Desouza—who ran under the Saving Grace Party— also entered the race.