ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Grenadians were voting Tuesday to elect a new government after a six-week campaign in which both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New National party (NNP) told voters they were best suited to deal with the socio-economic problems of the Spice Isle.

Long lines formed outside some of the 239 polling stations scattered across the island that opened at 6.00 am (local time) and will close 11 hours later. There are 45 candidates contesting the elections.

Supervisor of Elections Judy Benoit told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that 62,146 people have been registered to vote in the election in which Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is hoping to lead his NDC into a second consecutive five year term in office against the Keith Mitchell’s NNP and three other small political parties including the National United Front (NUF), comprising mainly of former NDC cabinet ministers.

“The biggest challenge could be someone turning up to vote without identification cards and not being able to be identified otherwise,” she told CMC, adding that she expects the results of the first seat to be known half an hour after the polls close.

Various national, regional and international teams including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of American States (OAS) are monitoring the election.