1971 Antiguan general election

General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 11 February 1971.[1] They were won by the Progressive Labour Movement. PLM leader George Walter was elected Premier of Antigua, defeating the incumbent Premier Vere Bird of the Antigua Labour Party. The PLM was founded in 1967 after a split in the leadership of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union; this was its first election, as well as its first and only electoral victory.

1971 Antiguan general election

← 1965 11 February 1971 1976 →

All 17 seats in the House of Representatives
9 seats needed for a majority
Turnout55.92%
  First party Second party
 
Leader George Walter Vere Bird
Party PLM ALP
Seats won 13 4
Seat change New Decrease 6
Popular vote 9,761 6,409
Percentage 57.72% 37.90%
Swing New Decrease 47.12pp

Results by constituency

Premier before election

Vere Bird
ALP

Subsequent Premier

George Walter
PLM

The 1971 election marked the first change of government in the history of Antigua and Barbuda. It was the first election held in the territory since its creation as a West Indies Associated State in 1967 and the end of its period under British colonial rule. Voter turnout was 56.4%.[1]

Results

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Progressive Labour Movement9,76157.7213New
Antigua Labour Party6,40937.904–6
Antigua People's Party5953.520New
Independents1470.8700
Total16,912100.0017+7
Valid votes16,91297.71
Invalid/blank votes3972.29
Total votes17,309100.00
Registered voters/turnout30,95255.92
Source: Caribbean Elections

References

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  1. ^ a b Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p66 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6