(CMR) Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley was elected in a landslide victory on Thursday in the country's first general election since it became a republic last year by removing Queen Elizabeth as sovereign head of state.
The incumbent Prime Minister won all 30 seats despite thousands of citizens being unable to vote due to COVID. According to the health ministry, at least 5,600 people infected with the COVID virus were facing strict isolation and were barred from going to the polling stations.
The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados held a general election after the 11th-hour attempt to stop the poll failed on Tuesday night. The election was held on Wednesday after the high court ruled it had no jurisdiction to postpone the election, which took place amid rising Omicron cases.
Opposition leaders widely criticized Mottley for holding snap general elections more than a year ahead of schedule and accused her of trying to consolidate power. Mottley rejected those accusations and said the elections are a stop to refuel and continue transforming the country.
Mottley promised that if her party wins, they would focus on issues including financial security, nutrition, renewable energy projects, and housing, pledging to build 10,000 homes in the next five years.
Mottley shot to international fame due to her speech at the Climate Summit (COP 26) held last year.
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