Ready or not, the stage is set for what is being considered by many as one of the most keenly contested general elections in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

After months of rigorous campaigning by three political parties, Vincentians are just three days away from casting their votes for one of 43 candidates, at 226 polling stations, in 15 constituencies between 7am and 5pm on Monday December 13.

According to a final voters list published by the Electoral Office, 101,052 persons are registered to vote in the elections, the seventh of its kind since the country gained independence from Great Britain in 1979.

15 candidates have been registered to contest the elections for the incumbent Unity Labour Party, which is led by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, with 15 candidates on the cards for the Arnhim Eustace led Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), while the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Green Party (SVG GP) with Ivan O’neal at its helm, fields 13 candidates.

A win for the ULP will return the party to lead government for a third successive term, while should the NDP gain success at the polls, the party would return to government after a ten-year absence; after ruling the country for 17 years from 1984 to 2001.

The results of the elections are expected to be made known by late Monday, with a final count of the ballots to be conducted on Tuesday, November 14. (JJ)