A tense PM Browne takes up what MP Watts considers an ‘intimidating’ position to monitor ALP support at polls  

Prime Minister Gaston Browne was present in St. Mary’s South early
Tuesday morning, October 24, and reportedly was monitoring the
proceedings to ensure that Antigua Labour Party supporters turned
out to vote.
 
This is a very important poll for Browne, whose Antigua Labour
Party holds a one-seat majority in the Lower House. The by-election
– triggered by the resignation of Opposition MP Kelvin Simon – gives
him an opportunity to regain the constituency, since his party’s side-
door attempts through the High Court failed.
 
Many observers say that Browne has never campaigned this hard in
his own constituency, St. John’s City West, which he, himself,
admitted following the January 18 General Election.
 
Despite his bravado, observers say he appeared to be on pins and
needles during the campaign – even going as far as publicly offering
“inducements” during a one-man stump in St. Mary’s South.
 
Meanwhile, St. George MP Algernon “Serpent” Watts believes that
Browne was attempting some last-minute intimidation, having
positioned himself at the entrance to the Bolans Primary School, so
he could not be missed.

Reportedly, Browne also showed up with “fat pockets,” igniting
speculation that he was carrying large sums of money.

However, after having monitored the process since the polls opened,
Watts said the Labour Party candidate would have lost his $500
deposit if the election results had been called two hours after voting
began.
 
In the meantime, Jason Mannix, a member of the SMS campaign
team, is buoyed by Tuesday’s turnout and believes the UPP
candidate will be returned to the House of Representatives.
 
Mannix is happy that the day’s proceedings have been uneventful
and that voters exercised their franchise in an orderly manner.