Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced that a by-election will be held in Barbados’ St James North constituency on May 21, following the formal resignation of Member of Parliament Edmund Hinkson.
In a national address on Friday, Mottley said Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason would issue the official writ for the by-election on Saturday, April 26. Nomination Day is set for May 6, and the by-election will be held shortly after, giving candidates a brief window to campaign.
“I visited her excellency today and indicated that the write should be issued tomorrow, Saturday the 26th of April, 2025. Similarly, I indicated that Nomination Day should be Tuesday, the sixth of May 2025, and the polling date for the election of a member of the House of Assembly for the constituency of St James North shall be Wednesday 27th of May 2025,” Mottley said.
She said that the by-election will be “quick election” adding “as we approach this important date, let us all show the best of who we are, respectful, responsible and proud.
“Let us exercise our rights peacefully, uphold the dignity of the process and set a positive example for all future generations. Every word that we speak, every action that we take, reflects not just on ourselves, but on this community which we cherish. Together, let us make this a by-election of which we can all be proud,” she added.
The ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has named Educational Transformation Minister Chad Blackman as its candidate. Blackman, 42, is a former ambassador to Geneva and held a senior consultancy role with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). He is expected to resign from his positions in the Senate and Cabinet in order to contest the seat.
The BLP has enjoyed overwhelming support in recent years, winning all 30 parliamentary seats in the last two general elections. However, the political landscape shifted recently when former BLP member Ralph Thorne KC crossed the floor to the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), becoming the Opposition Leader.
Paying tribute to Hinkson, Mottley thanked him for his 12 years of parliamentary service and his decades of community work. She also emphasized that despite the BLP’s strong standing in St James North, no vote would be taken for granted.
“Every ballot box opens with zero ballots,” she said. “One must work hard and earn the trust of the people you want to represent.”
The by-election is seen as a critical test ahead of future national elections.
