Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre joined the Governor-General, Cabinet members, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, members of the Diplomatic Corps, government officials and members of the public today for a special multi-denominational church service at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, as Saint Lucia commemorates 75 years of universal adult suffrage.

The anniversary marks a turning point in Saint Lucia's political history, when voting rights were extended to a much larger share of the population, giving thousands of Saint Lucians who had previously been excluded the opportunity to choose their representatives.

Before 1951, property ownership, income, and English literacy requirements restricted the right to vote. This meant that people who did not own the required property, earn sufficient income, or have the necessary English reading and writing skills could not vote, regardless of age. These conditions excluded a large section of the population, particularly working-class Saint Lucians. In 1950, only 2,553 people were eligible to vote out of an estimated population of 79,500.

The introduction of universal adult suffrage in 1951 removed these barriers, extending voting rights to eligible citizens aged 21 and over. By the country's first general election under the new system on October 12, 1951, the number of registered voters had risen to 28,398. For the first time, thousands of Saint Lucians previously excluded could participate in electing representatives to the Legislative Council.

The Parliament of Saint Lucia will continue the commemoration on Monday, October 12, 2026, with a Special Sitting of the House of Assembly and Senate at 10:00 a.m. at the Parliament Building. Former Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, will deliver a special address.

The 75th anniversary offers an opportunity to honour those who advocated for wider political participation and to reflect on the significance of the rights they secured`. Today, the right to vote remains fundamental to Saint Lucia's democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives, influence the direction of the country and hold elected officials accountable.

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