Browne secured a fourth consecutive term as prime minister after supporters celebrated early Friday official results confirming a landslide win for the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, according to the Associated Press. The snap election had been called about two years ahead of the constitutional deadline, following a campaign centered on the cost of living and infrastructure development.
The seat distribution left the main opposition, the United Progressive Party, reduced to a single presence in parliament. AP reported that Jamale Pringle, the opposition’s lone standard-bearer, was the remaining representative after the party’s seat count collapsed from five to one.
Trevor Walker is set to join the opposition bench as well. AP said Walker won on the Barbuda People’s Movement ticket in every election since 2004 except 2014, positioning him alongside Pringle as the lawmakers expected to represent opposition voices in the chamber.
Supporters took to the streets after the official results were released in the pre-dawn hours of Friday. AP reported that election officials expressed satisfaction with the conduct of polling, saying polling stations across the twin-island nation operated efficiently.
Browne told ABLP supporters, “We will build one nation united and inclusive where all who are willing to come together under the banner of one Antigua and Barbuda will share in the reward of their efforts,” AP reported. With the election result settled, Browne and Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin were sworn in on Friday morning, and AP said the remaining members of the Cabinet will be sworn in Tuesday.