General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 8 March 1994.

Electoral System

The 17 elected members of the House of Representatives were elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post. There was no fixed election date in effect in Antigua and Barbuda at this time; hence, the choice of election date is the prerogative of the Prime Minister.

Background

In accordance with the advice of the Honourable Prime Minister and Section 61 of the Constitution, His Excellency the Governor General dissolved Parliament on 18 February 1994.  The Writs of Election fixed Friday, 25 February 1994 as the day for Nomination of Candidates and Tuesday 8 March 1994 as Polling Day. Boundaries in the 17 constituencies remained unchanged and were identical to those used in the 1989 General Elections. The 1993 Register of Elections indicated a total of 43,749 electors.

Political Parties & Candidates

A total of 38 candidates were nominated to contest the General Elections in the 17 constituencies: Antigua Labour Party (ALP) – 17; United Progressive Party (UPP) – 16; Barbuda People's Movement (BPM) – 1; Independents – 4.

Results

At the end of the count, the results were as follows: Antigua Labour Party (ALP) – 11; United Progressive Party (UPP) – 5; Barbuda People's Movement (BPM) – 1.

Polling results gave the ALP a House majority for the fifth consecutive time although its total dropped by four seats to 11, these losses being picked up by the UPP. As before, the Barbuda People’s Movement won the lone seat set aside for the island of Barbuda.

Prime Minister Bird’s new Cabinet was announced on 10 March.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout was 62.32%.