4.30am – Final results
All of the votes have been counted and the nine new members of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly have been announced.
They are:
- Crenston Buffonge (MCAP) – 1,093
- Ingrid Buffonge (United Alliance) – 1,086
- Reuben T Meade (United Alliance) – 1,068
- John Osborne (United Alliance) – 1,067
- Veronica Dorsette-Hector (United Alliance) – 983
- Paul Lewis (PDM) – 976
- Donaldson Romeo (PDM) – 849
- Dwayne Hixon (United Alliance) – 786
- Nyota Mulcare (PDM) – 785
The United Alliance party will form the new government, PDM will form the opposition along with one member of the former ruling party, MCAP.
Of the 2,338 ballots cast, 2,295 were accepted and 43 rejected.
The final vote count for all candidates can be viewed here.
11.15pm – Premier loses position
In the past hour, outgoing premier Joseph E Farrell (MCAP) has lost his place in the list of top nine candidates and George Kirnon (United Alliance) has moved into the joint eighth spot.
The new top nine candidates, as of the last count at 11.06pm, are:
- Crenston Buffonge (MCAP) – 466
- Ingrid Buffonge (United Alliance) – 449
- John Osborne (United Alliance) – 427
- Reuben T Meade (United Alliance) – 421
- Veronica Dorsette-Hector (United Alliance) – 391
- Paul Lewis (PDM) – 372
- Donaldson Romeo (PDM) – 326
- Siobhan Tuitt (MCAP) – 310, and George Kirnon (United Alliance) – 310
The latest vote count for all candidates can be viewed here.
10.30pm – Returning officer speaks
Viona Alexander Smith, director of the Government Information Unit, chatted to returning officer Edith Duberry who plays a crucial role in overseeing the administration and conduct of elections.
Duberry explained that a large part of her job is interacting with the public and educating people on how the electoral process works in Montserrat.
“The important thing is that we have a free and fair election and that regardless of the result, I want people to say that the system was expeditiously carried out,” she said.
This evening she will be on alert for ‘questionable’ ballots and will assess if they are able to be counted or need to be rejected according to electoral guidelines.
10.15pm – Changing places
There have been a few shifts in the leader board in the past hour, with Jermaine Wade (PDM) being knocked out of the top nine.
The new top nine candidates, as of the last count at 10.07pm, are:
- Crenston Buffonge (MCAP) – 293
- Ingrid Buffonge (United Alliance) – 275
- John Osborne (United Alliance) – 258
- Reuben T Meade (United Alliance) – 254
- Paul Lewis (PDM) – 241
- Veronica Dorsette-Hector (United Alliance) – 239
- Donaldson Romeo (PDM) – 208
- Siobhan Tuitt (MCAP) – 190
- Joseph E Farrell (MCAP) – 189
The latest vote count for all candidates can be viewed here.
9.30pm – Top nine candidates
At the polling stations today there was a turnout of 2,343 or 68% or two thirds of the total registered voters of 3,464, according to analyst Deonne Peters.
At 9.18pm a total of 404 ballots had been counted and the top nine candidates so far are:
- Crenston Buffonge (MCAP) – 194
- Ingrid Buffonge (United Alliance) – 191
- Paul Lewis (PDM) – 180
- John Osborne (United Alliance) – 170
- Reuben T Meade (United Alliance) – 167
- Veronica Dorsette-Hector (United Alliance) – 161
- Donaldson Romeo (PDM) – 150
- Jermaine Wade (PDM) – 132
- Joseph E Farrell (MCAP) – 130, and Siobhan Tuitt (MCAP) – 130
The latest vote count for all candidates can be viewed here.
9pm – Counting delay
James White Junior, executive news producer at ZJB Radio, announced that there is a “delay in the counting process” so results are unavailable “for the time being”.
8.20pm – Outgoing premier thanks public
Viona Alexander Smith, director of the Government Information Unit, interviewed outgoing premier Joseph E Farrell who said he was “relaxed” about today’s vote count.
He described his government’s successes and challenges during his tenure, and said he has lived by the mantra: “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, so do what you have to do.”
Farrell said his job is to serve the people of Montserrat, so he will continue to work for the public irrespective of any future position.
He decided to step down as leader to spend more time with his family and facilitate the party’s transition to a younger generation, he told Alexander Smith.
“I just wish to thank the people of Montserrat for allowing me to serve you over these past five years,” he said.
“Had it not been for you, I would not have made it. We travelled together on this journey, we suffered together, and we had experiencies together.”
7.30pm – Live coverage begins
Host James White Junior, executive news producer at ZJB Radio, has joined a panel of political experts for live coverage of the vote count after a delay of half an hour.
Researcher Peter W A White talked about the history of elections in Montserrat which stretches back to the 19th century when very few members of the population were permitted to vote.
He described the rise and fall of several political parties in Montserrat Legislative Assembly over the years.
White also examined the impact of the Soufrière Hills volcano eruptions in the 1990s on the political landscape.
Panellists John Skerritt and Peter B White spoke about adult suffrage as a fundamental principle of democracy.
They described the restrictions to voting and how that was influenced by what was happening in the wider Caribbean.
6pm – Polls are closed
The polling stations in Montserrat have now closed and no further votes can be cast.
Counting of the ballots will begin at 7pm at Montserrat Cultural Centre in Little Bay.
The Government Information Unit and ZJB Radio plan to host a joint live broadcast of the results which can be viewed on YouTube.
Montserrat Focus will also update readers here with the latest results.
4pm – Countdown
There are just two hours left for voters to select their nine preferred representatives in the Montserrat Legislative Assembly.
Those who have not yet cast their vote in the general election can head down to their local polling stations now.
Details of which station to attend and the presiding officer are available from the Electoral Commission here.
Voters must bring a photo identification, such as a passport, driver’s licence, or social security card.
Polling stations will close at 6pm and the votes will be counted this evening at Montserrat Cultural Centre in Little Bay.
2pm – No campaigning
Barrington Chalmers, chair and supervisor of elections, spoke to ZJB Radio earlier today to remind candidates that that campaigning on election day is illegal.
“There is to be no influencing of voters within 100 yards of the polling station, and also all campaigning should have ceased at midnight last night,” he said.
He added that political campaign material must not be posted on party websites, social media pages, or WhatsApp feeds.
Chalmers also reminded the public that alcohol sales are prohibited in Montserrat during polling hours, from 7am to 6pm.
He warned that penalties apply for any violations of the Elections Act.
1pm – Results live stream
The Government Information Unit and ZJB Radio will be hosting a joint live broadcast of the general election results this evening.
Ballot counting will take place at Montserrat Cultural Centre in Little Bay from 7pm – an hour after polling stations close.
The livestream will be available on YouTube, and on the Government Information Unit and ZJB Radio Facebook pages.
12pm – Presiding officers
Twelve presiding officers are working hard to oversee conduct and ensure compliance with election laws and regulations at each of the polling station locations today.
They include Hyacinth Lindsey at the hall and Mary Blake at the food and nutrition lab in Montserrat Secondary School, Lauren Piper at River View bar, and Brenda Lindsey at St Peter’s Clinic.
Denise Silcott and Inez Thompson are at Brades Primary School, and Patricia Farrell-Daway and Elvina Farrell are at Davy Hill Community Centre.
Michelle Cassell is at Seventh Day Adventist Church, Rachael Kelly at Church of God of Prophecy, and Arlene Hogan and Cheverlyn Williams-Kirnon at Look Out Primary School.
Meanwhile, Shivonne White is the only presiding officer who is responsible for mobile voting for those unable to make it to a station such as those in hospital or prison.
The presiding officers assist voters with questions and issues, and manage the setup and operation of polling stations.
11am – Variable weather
Moisture and instability from an approaching tropical wave may bring brief showers over the next 24 hours as voters hit the polling stations.
Temperatures will remain warm with a high of 31 degrees Celsius and low of 23°C, while winds from the east will range between 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts of up to 25mph.
The sky will be party cloudy and hazy, and a plume of Saharan dust will also affect air quality.
The sun is due to set at 5.43pm, just as polling stations prepare to close, according to a post from the Disaster Management Coordination Agency’s ‘Montserrat Weather’ Facebook page.
9am – Voters line up
Queues of voters have been spotted waiting to cast their ballot outside polling stations in Montserrat.
Residents appear eager to exercise their democratic rights and make their voices heard.
7am – Polling stations open
Montserrat’s polling stations have officially opened across the island.
They are at Montserrat Secondary School, River View bar, St Peter’s Clinic, Brades Primary School, Davy Hill Community Centre, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Church of God of Prophecy, and Look Out Primary School.
Up to 3,464 registered voters can now attend to mark their ballot papers and select their nine favourite representatives.
They must bring with them photo identification, such as a passport, driver’s licence, or social security card.
Details of which station to attend, exact locations and the presiding officer are available from the Electoral Commission here.
Polling stations will close at 6pm and the votes will be counted this evening at Montserrat Cultural Centre in Little Bay.
6am – Election day has arrived
General election day 2024 has arrived with 34 candidates from four political parties, along with independents, vying for nine seats in the Montserrat Legislative Assembly.
Representing the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) are Samuel Joseph, Joseph E Farrell, Gilmore Williams, Edris Pamela Wade, Crenston Buffonge, Siobhan Tuitt, Jamiel Melissia Greenaway, Charliena White, and Edith Fenton.
Candidates for the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) are Paul Lewis, Donaldson Romeo, Glenville Daley, Alaric Lynch, Nyota Mulcare, David Osborne, Eustace Osborne, Shirley Osborne, and Jermaine Wade.
The sole candidate representing the Positive Progression for People (PPP) at the election is Karen Allen.
Representing United Alliance are Reuben T Meade, Anne Thomas, Marjorie Smith, Jenzil Skerrit, Veronica Dorsette-Hector, John Osborne, Ingrid Buffonge, George Kirnon and Dwayne Hixon.
The six independent candidates are Claude Gerald, Debra Lewis, Wilford Meade, Charlesworth Piper, Delmaude Ryan, and Vickie Stephenson.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article provides impartial coverage of political activities in the lead up to the 24 October general election in Montserrat.
It does not constitute an endorsement of any party or candidate.
