The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) condemns in the strongest possible terms the irresponsible, reckless, and deeply damaging comments made by Opposition Leader Hon. Allen Chastanet, suggesting that the 2025 General Elections was somehow “influenced” through “electoral list manipulation”, “significant financial influences”, and other unnamed forces. These should not be the words of a responsible national leader. These are the words of a politician trying to explain rejections at the ballot box by showing contempt for the institutions that safeguard our democracy.  

Mr Chastanet’s remarks amount to an unjustified smear against the Electoral Commission, the Electoral Department, and the many Saint Lucians who worked long hours to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible election. Presiding officers, poll clerks, returning officers, party agents, security personnel, and other election workers carried out their duties with seriousness and professionalism. They deserve gratitude, not the sowing of doubt that the election process was not fair. The CARICOM Election Observation Mission explicitly said voters were able to exercise their franchise in a “peaceful, orderly and transparent manner” and that the results would have reflected the will of the people and therefore should be accepted and respected by all parties. Similarly, the OAS mission said that election day was conducted orderly, peacefully, and professionally. 

The official results published by the Saint Lucia Electoral Department have been clear. The SLP won 14 seats, the UWP won 1, and 2 independents won the remaining seats. That outcome was decided by the people of Saint Lucia. It was not manufactured. It was not stolen. It was delivered through the legitimate and democratic process. Mr Chastanet’s latest outburst, therefore, raises a troubling question: is he prepared to respect the will of the electorate only when it favours him?  

If Mr Chastanet has evidence, he should submit it to the competent authorities immediately: the Electoral Commission, the courts, or any relevant regional or international body. But if he has no evidence, then he should stop poisoning the public space with disinformation. Saint Lucia’s democracy is too important to be used as cover for one man’s political frustration. 

As Leader of the Opposition, Mr Chastanet holds a constitutional office that demands maturity, discipline and respect for democratic institutions. He is expected to behave in a manner befitting that office. Instead of fueling distrust and encouraging conspiracy theories, he should exercise better judgment, speak with responsibility, and acknowledge what independent election observers and official results have said: Allen Chastaent lost convincingly.  

The Saint Lucia Labour Party will continue to defend the integrity of the country’s electoral system and reject any cynical attempt to drag it into disrepute for partisan survival.