Grenada: Voting underway in 2018 general election

Grenadians will vote today in the country's 8th general election since the return to parliamentary rule.

Polls opened at 6am, and will close at 5pm.

The election will be a straight fight between the ruling New National Party (NNP) of 71-year old Keith Mitchell and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by Nazim Burke.

The 2018 poll is being contested by 45 candidates, representing eight political parties.

Both main parties are fielding a full slate of 15 candidates.

Two independent candidates are also in the race, with former NNP government minister, Joslyn Whiteman running in St David and John Fletcher contesting St Andrew South-west.

A total of 78,249 Grenadians are eligible to cast ballots in the highly anticipated poll.

Last Friday saw 874 police officers vote early in order for them to be free for active duty on polling day.

The Parliamentary Elections Office has designated 237 polling stations on the mainland for voting and 17 polling stations in Carriacou.

Tuesday’s election is historic for Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, who is seeking his fifth term in office, while the NDC are seeking to avenge their 15-0 thrashing in the 2013 vote.