March 23 is polling day in Antigua and Barbuda

Saturday, February 28, 2004

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: The people of Antigua and Barbuda will go to the polls to elect a new government on Tuesday March 23rd, 2004. The country's Prime Minister, Lester Bird, made the announcement Thursday while addressing a public meeting.

According to a Press Association report, Prime Minister Bird is seeking to overcome opposition allegations of corruption and mismanagement to lead his Antigua Labour Party to a seventh straight victory.

Recent polls have painted a mixed picture of the race. A January survey conducted by the Antigua-based CASURO organisation showed the main opposition United Progressive Party crushing Bird's party by winning 14 of 17 parliamentary seats.

Another poll showed Bird's party winning easily. More than 42,000 of Antigua's 70,000 residents have registered to vote.

Bird has faced mounting criticism amid political infighting in his party and corruption scandals under his administration.

Last year, three MPs defected from the Labour Party after falling out with Bird over his refusal to hold a vote of confidence. 

Bird has been prime minister since 1994 when he succeeded his father, former Prime Minister Vere Bird, who was in office from 1981-1994.

The clan has long held powerful positions in the twin-island Caribbean country: Vere Bird, who died in 1999, was also chief minister from 1956-1971 while Antigua and Barbuda was still a British colony. The islands gained independence from Britain in 1981.

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