Grenada goes into polls today to elect a new Prime Minister

Grenada goes into polls today to elect a new Prime Minister. Incumbent Dr Keith Mitchell's New National Party is expecting another term.

Thursday, 23rd June 2022

Grenada goes into polls today to elect a new Prime Minister. Incumbent Dr Keith Mitchell's New National Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) released their manifestoes on Monday to lure voters. Prior to the introduction of the manifesto for the ruling New National Party (NNP) on Tuesday, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) released their 52-page "Transforming Grenada" statement on Monday evening. The NNP, which has swept all of the parliamentary seats in the last two general elections, is running for all 15 seats in the June 23 general election with the NDC. One independent candidate is running against five major parties. The manifesto contains the intentions for the future socioeconomic growth of the island under a NNP administration, according to Prime Minister Mitchell, 75, who has previously stated that this will be his last general election. Insisting that "this text is achievable," Mitchell stated, "this is a manifesto of hope and also of opportunities it lays a road map for the future." As we move forward over the course of the next five years, Prime Minister Mitchell asked the country to view the manifesto as "a developmental bible." "This paper is achievable," he continued. "We have bold plans and bold projects, and with leadership and the team working together, discipline and commitment." The NNP pledges to improve housing conditions, create jobs, support small business startups, and provide additional ICT sector workers with support for farmers, the tourism and health industries. The NDC stated that its goal is for a "sustainable, equitable, and prosperous Grenada" under the new leadership of 44-year-old lawyer Dickon Mitchell. "The National Democratic Congress thinks that it is time for a fresh approach to Grenada's governance and management. We can't keep moving forward with the same policies, failing concepts, and staff that hasn't succeeded in improving the lives and living situations of Grenadians," said the incumbent Prime Minister. "We have a strong conviction that as a people, we can do much more. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is confident that we can restore our people's faith, hope, and confidence," Keith Mitchell added. According to the NDC, it will uphold its earlier commitments to pay public employees' pensions on time, pay them twice a month to help with cash flow issues, and conduct a joint salary review with the private and labour sectors. The NDC also pledges to build a brand-new, cutting-edge hospital with teaching facilities, completely implement the National Health Insurance Scheme, and create and make housing more accessible so that a greater proportion of Grenadian families can own and reside in their own homes. A further pledge made by the party is that, if elected, it will ensure "free universal education up to community college" with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.