KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — The main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) Wednesday night refused to concede defeat in the general election accusing the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) of seeking to hold on to power “against the wishes of the people”.

“We of the New Democratic Party are confident that we have won the general elections based on figures received by our various polling agents,” the NDP said in a brief statement.

According to the preliminary figures released by the Electoral Office here, the ULP won the poll by an 8-7 margin, the same results it had obtained in the 2010 general election.

But the NDP said that “our figures show that we won the Central Leeward seat by 6 votes, which means that we won the general elections by 8 seats to 7”.

It said that the ULP is “claiming victory” and that “any such action is a brazen attempt by a dying regime to hold on to power against the wishes of the people”.

“We in St Vincent and the Grenadines will not let this injustice stand. We are calling immediately for a full investigation into the late night activities in Central Leeward and upon behalf of the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines we reserve all our rights in the matter,” the party statement added.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who won a historic fourth consecutive term in office told the Caribbean Media Corporation that he was “humbled by the significant and historic victory.

“A fourth term with an increase in the popular votes and I am asking the nation to celebrate this victory in peace and maturity,” Gonsalves added.