KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — More than 103,000 voters are going to the 250 polling stations in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday to elect a new government, in an election that political observers say could signal the end of the political career of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Gonsalves, 79, the longest serving head of government in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), is leading his ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) into the election, hoping for a sixth consecutive victory, as the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) seeks to end their 25 years in the political wilderness under the 66-year-old attorney Dr Godwin Friday.

Both the ULP and the NDP are fielding candidates in all 15 constituencies.

The National Liberation Movement (NLM) is being represented by its leader, Dr Doris Charles, who is contesting the south Leeward seat, while another female candidate, Kenna Questelles, the lone independent in the race is contesting the west St George.

In the last general election, the ULP won nine of the 15 seats.