Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
House of Assembly
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
05.11.2020
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
09.10.2020
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
15
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
33
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
28
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
5
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
15.15%
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
3
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
98,119
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
65,595
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
66.85%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves' Unity Labour Party (ULP) won an unprecedented fifth consecutive term, taking 9 out of the 15 seats at stake. The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Mr. Godwin Friday, took the remainder (see note 1). On 22 November, the newly elected House of Assembly (see note 2) convened and elected Ms. Rochelle Forde as its Speaker, who thereby became the first woman in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to assume the post.
During the election campaign, the major parties focused on the economy and education. The ULP promised to construct more hotels, apartments and guest houses, and create more jobs. Although the 2020 elections were held amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the country had recorded only 64 cases and no deaths at the time of the polls.
Note 1:
Members are elected under the First Past The Post system. Although the NDP gained more votes than the ULP nationwide (32,847 against 32,523), the NDP won only six seats.
Note 2:
In addition to 15 directly elected members, the House of Assembly also includes the Speaker and 6 members, called Senators, appointed by the Governor General (4 on the government side and 2 from the opposition). Since the Attorney General is no longer an ex officio member, the 2020 legislature comprises a total of 22 members.
During the election campaign, the major parties focused on the economy and education. The ULP promised to construct more hotels, apartments and guest houses, and create more jobs. Although the 2020 elections were held amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the country had recorded only 64 cases and no deaths at the time of the polls.
Note 1:
Members are elected under the First Past The Post system. Although the NDP gained more votes than the ULP nationwide (32,847 against 32,523), the NDP won only six seats.
Note 2:
In addition to 15 directly elected members, the House of Assembly also includes the Speaker and 6 members, called Senators, appointed by the Governor General (4 on the government side and 2 from the opposition). Since the Attorney General is no longer an ex officio member, the 2020 legislature comprises a total of 22 members.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
2
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
66.67%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
60%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
No
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
United Labour Party (ULP)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| United Labour Party (ULP) | 9 |
| New Democratic Party (NDP) | 6 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
15
Number of women elected
0
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
0%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
- No women were elected in 2020.
- Three women were appointed by the Governor General (two on the government side and one from the opposition).
- On 30 November 2020, Ms. Rochelle Forde was sworn in as Speaker. She is the first woman in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to assume the post.
- Three women were appointed by the Governor General (two on the government side and one from the opposition).
- On 30 November 2020, Ms. Rochelle Forde was sworn in as Speaker. She is the first woman in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to assume the post.
Other notes
Note on the statutory number of members:
The House of Assembly elected in 2020 comprises the following 22 members:
- 15 directly elected members,
- Six members appointed by the Governor General (called “Senators”, four on the government side and two from the opposition),
- The Speaker.
The Attorney General is no longer an ex officio member of the House.
The House of Assembly elected in 2020 comprises the following 22 members:
- 15 directly elected members,
- Six members appointed by the Governor General (called “Senators”, four on the government side and two from the opposition),
- The Speaker.
The Attorney General is no longer an ex officio member of the House.
Sources
Women Directly Elected
0
Women Appointed
3
Women Other
1
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
18
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
4
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
30.11.2020
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Rochelle
Forde
(Female)
Date of election
30.11.2020