BARBADOS: parliamentary elections House of Assembly, 1994

BARBADOS
Parliamentary Chamber: House of Assembly

ELECTIONS HELD IN 1994

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for BARBADOS <<<

Chamber:

House of Assembly

Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):

6 September 1994

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all the seats of the House of Assembly following the premature dissolution of this body in June 1994. Previous elections had been held in January 1991.

Background and outcome of elections:

On 7 June 1994, the administration of Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford (Democratic Labour Party - DLP) was defeated in a parliamentary vote of no confidence when several DLP dissidents “crossed the floor” and sided with the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in criticising a particular governmental appointment. As a consequence, Mr. Sandiford (in power since 1987) announced premature elections for September (16 months early) and Parliament was dissolved. Mr. David Thompson became the new DLP leader.
Polling results reflected the electorate’s anger over economic issues, especially the country’s high unemployment rate (22%) and austerity measures, as the BLP swept to victory and thus ended eight years of DLP rule. Of the 14 independent candidates, none were successful.
On 7 September, Mr. Owen Arthur, an economist and head of the BLP, was sworn in as Prime Minister, he set economic growth as a priority, and announced that the Barbadian dollar would not be devalued. The new Cabinet was sworn in on 12 September; among its 12 members were all three women elected to the Assembly and three Senators.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (6 September 1994): Elections results

Number of registered electors 206,000

Voters 124,121 (60.25%)

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group Candidates Votes %

Barbados Labour Party (BLP) 28 60,534 48.77

Democratic Labour Party (DLP) 28 48,107 38.75

National Democratic Party 25 15,017 12.10

Independents 14 463 0.37

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group Total Gain/Loss

Barbados Labour Party (BLP) 19 +9

Democratic Labour Party (DLP) 8 -10

National Democratic Party 1 +1

Independents 0 =

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men: 25

Women: 3

Distribution of seats according to age:

Under 31 years 1

31-40 years 4

41-50 years 10

51-60 years 11

61-70 years 2

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Lawyers 14

Teachers 5

Pharmacists 2

Others 7

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for BARBADOS <<<

Chamber:
	House of Assembly
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	6 September 1994
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats of the House of Assembly following the premature dissolution of this body in June 1994. Previous elections had been held in January 1991.
Background and outcome of elections:
	On 7 June 1994, the administration of Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford (Democratic Labour Party - DLP) was defeated in a parliamentary vote of no confidence when several DLP dissidents “crossed the floor” and sided with the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in criticising a particular governmental appointment. As a consequence, Mr. Sandiford (in power since 1987) announced premature elections for September (16 months early) and Parliament was dissolved. Mr. David Thompson became the new DLP leader. Polling results reflected the electorate’s anger over economic issues, especially the country’s high unemployment rate (22%) and austerity measures, as the BLP swept to victory and thus ended eight years of DLP rule. Of the 14 independent candidates, none were successful. On 7 September, Mr. Owen Arthur, an economist and head of the BLP, was sworn in as Prime Minister, he set economic growth as a priority, and announced that the Barbadian dollar would not be devalued. The new Cabinet was sworn in on 12 September; among its 12 members were all three women elected to the Assembly and three Senators.

Round no 1 (6 September 1994): Elections results
Number of registered electors	206,000
Voters	124,121 (60.25%)

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Candidates	Votes	%
Barbados Labour Party (BLP)	28	60,534	48.77
Democratic Labour Party (DLP)	28	48,107	38.75
National Democratic Party	25	15,017	12.10
Independents	14	463	0.37

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
Barbados Labour Party (BLP)	19	+9
Democratic Labour Party (DLP)	8	-10
National Democratic Party	1	+1
Independents	0	=

Distribution of seats according to age:
Under 31 years	1
31-40 years	4
41-50 years	10
51-60 years	11
61-70 years	2
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Lawyers	14
Teachers	5
Pharmacists	2
Others	7