Choiseul on the Move

Why Kiffo, Why This Ministry — And What It Means for Choiseul/Saltibus

Physical Development & Utilities • Local Impact • National Delivery

Big picture: The Prime Minister says the old “Infrastructure” portfolio became too wide and heavy. Splitting off Physical Development & Public Utilities is meant to tighten focus, speed up execution, and improve coordination—especially around utilities, planning, and the energy transition.

When the Prime Minister announced the creation of the Ministry of Physical Development and Public Utilities, it wasn’t just a Cabinet shuffle. It was a practical admission that the former infrastructure portfolio had grown too large, too technical, and too central to daily life to remain under one ministry. Physical development, public utilities management, planning approvals, and the renewable energy transition each demand constant attention and decisive leadership.

That reality shaped his next move: selecting Honourable Keithson “Kiffo” Charles to lead this newly streamlined ministry. In his explanation, the Prime Minister leaned on three ideas—trust, capacity, and delivery. Kiffo’s historic victory in Choiseul/Saltibus was treated as more than a seat won; it was a mandate that now comes with responsibility. In short: the ministry needs someone who can coordinate, push implementation, and take ownership of outcomes.

Why this portfolio matters—especially for Choiseul/Saltibus

This ministry sits at the crossroads of everyday life: roads, water supply, electricity, land use, and development approvals. Those are exactly the areas rural constituencies feel most sharply when systems fail, when projects stall, or when paperwork becomes a wall. So for Choiseul/Saltibus, the appointment is not just political symbolism—it has practical consequences.

One early signal mentioned was responsibility for key access routes and development corridors, including the northern approaches near WASCO. That matters because better access isn’t “nice to have”: it improves safety for students, reduces wear and tear on vehicles, helps farmers move produce, and strengthens response time for emergency services.

Utilities: where progress will be felt first

Utilities are where people feel government performance in real time. When water is inconsistent, when electricity reliability becomes a worry, or when communities wait too long for coordinated upgrades—daily life gets harder. With utilities and development planning now housed together, the promise is less fragmentation and faster coordination between agencies, so solutions are not just announced, but actually delivered.

Renewable energy + durable jobs

The Prime Minister also placed heavy emphasis on renewable energy, stressing that Saint Lucia’s transition must be intentional and well-managed. If done right, renewables can reduce long-term energy costs, strengthen energy security, and support climate resilience. But there’s another piece residents should watch closely: durable jobs. Physical development, public utilities upgrades, maintenance programmes, and energy projects create skilled, long-lasting employment—not just short-term work. That’s the kind of opportunity young people in Choiseul/Saltibus need if we are serious about keeping talent at home.

The expectation is simple: deliver

The Prime Minister’s rationale for choosing Kiffo wasn’t about ceremony—it was about outcomes. By handing him this portfolio, the government is placing a bet on delivery that must be felt beyond Cabinet rooms: in villages, schools, farms, homes, and along every road where people have been waiting for action.

Choiseul on the Move takeaway: This ministry has the power to change the pace of development in Choiseul/Saltibus— but the proof will show up in timelines, completed works, and reliable services.

The mandate is clear. The expectations are high. And for Choiseul/Saltibus, the reach of national planning has never felt closer.

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Choiseul on the Move • Commentary & community-focused analysis
Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments and tell us what priorities you want to see tackled first.

Choiseul/Saltibus 2021 vs 2025: How the Seat Changed Hands

In 2021, Choiseul/Saltibus returned Bradley Felix (UWP) to office over Pauline Antoine-Prospere (SLP). Four years later in 2025, the constituency made a decisive turn in the opposite direction, electing Keithson Charles (SLP). This post looks at what changed between the two elections and what the numbers now tell us about the political map of Choiseul/Saltibus.

1. Confirmed Overall Results

2021 General Election (Felix vs Antoine-Prospere)

• Bradley Felix (UWP): 2,846 votes
• Pauline Antoine-Prospere (SLP): 2,461 votes
• Winning margin: 385 votes (UWP)

2025 General Election (Charles vs Felix)

• Keithson Charles (SLP): 2,941 votes (53.88%)
• Bradley Felix (UWP): 2,517 votes (46.12%)
• Total votes cast: 5,458
• Registered electors: 9,539
• Voter turnout: 57.22%
• Rejected ballots: 247

Between 2021 and 2025, the constituency moved from a UWP lead of 385 votes to an SLP victory of 424 votes — an effective swing of 809 votes across the seat.

2. 2025 Polling-Division Results (Confirmed)

Polling Division	Keithson Charles (SLP)	Bradley Felix (UWP)	Margin
I1	325	506	UWP +181
I2	523	188	SLP +335
I3	665	437	SLP +228
I4	159	269	UWP +110
I5	254	248	SLP +6
I6	153	87	SLP +66
I7	320	207	SLP +113
I8	229	323	UWP +94
I9	313	252	SLP +61

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3. Visualising the Swings (2021 → 2025)

The chart below shows the net swing toward the Saint Lucia Labour Party across all polling divisions between the 2021 and 2025 general elections.

Source: Compiled from official 2021 and 2025 Choiseul/Saltibus election results.

4. What Actually Changed from 2021 to 2025?

• I5 (Roblot) and I9 (Piaye) flipped decisively and sealed the 2025 victory.
• I2 and I3 formed the backbone of the SLP win.
• I1, I4, and I8 remain structurally UWP but are shrinking.
• I6 and I7 quietly stabilized the final margin.

Conclusion

The shift from Pauline Antoine-Prospere’s 2021 campaign to Keithson Charles’ 2025 victory represents the most significant political realignment in Choiseul/Saltibus in over a decade. What was once a yellow stronghold is now a true swing seat — decided by interior communities, not just historical coastal loyalty.

🗳️ Choiseul–Saltibus 2025 Election Results: A Breakdown by Polling Division (I1–I9)

The 2025 General Elections have come and gone, but the data they produced will continue to shape political strategy, community engagement, and development planning in Choiseul–Saltibus for years to come. Beyond the final victory margin, the real story lives inside the polling divisions — I1 through I9 — where voting patterns reveal shifting loyalties, strongholds, and key swing zones.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how each polling division voted in the 2025 elections between the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and the United Workers Party (UWP).

📍 Polling Division Results – Choiseul/Saltibus 2025

I1

• SLP: 325
• UWP: 506
  ➡️ Strong UWP performance.

I2

• SLP: 523
• UWP: 188
  ➡️ Clear SLP stronghold.

I3

• SLP: 665
• UWP: 437
  ➡️ Solid SLP advantage.

I4

• SLP: 159
• UWP: 269
  ➡️ UWP edge.

I5

• SLP: 254
• UWP: 248
  ➡️ One of the closest divisions — true swing territory.

I6

• SLP: 153
• UWP: 87
  ➡️ Comfortable SLP lead.

I7(a)

• SLP: 245
• UWP: 136
  ➡️ Strong SLP showing.

I7(b)

• SLP: 75
• UWP: 71
  ➡️ Razor-thin margin.

I8

• SLP: 229
• UWP: 323
  ➡️ UWP dominance.

I9

• SLP: 313
• UWP: 252
  ➡️ SLP advantage.

📊 Overall Constituency Summary

• Total Votes – SLP: 2,941 (53.88%)
• Total Votes – UWP: 2,517 (46.12%)
• Total Votes Cast: 5,458
• Registered Electors: 9,539
• Voter Turnout: 57.22%
• Rejected Ballots: 247

The final numbers confirm a clear SLP victory, but they also tell a deeper story: Choiseul–Saltibus is far from politically uniform. Some divisions remain firmly rooted in party loyalty, while others are rapidly evolving into battleground zones.

🔍 What the Numbers Tell Us

• SLP Strongholds: I2, I3, I6, I7(a), I9
• UWP Strongholds: I1, I4, I8
• True Swing Divisions: I5 and I7(b)
• Strategic Battlegrounds for 2030: Expect heavy political focus on I5, I7(b), and I3 in the next cycle.

The closeness of several divisions signals a constituency that is politically active, highly competitive, and open to persuasion. Future electoral success will depend less on party branding and more on visible development, community engagement, and consistent representation.

✅ In Closing

The 2025 Choiseul–Saltibus election was not just about who won — it was about how the people spoke across every village, community, and district. From Delcer to River Dorée, from Saltibus to La Pointe, the message from voters was clear: performance, presence, and progress matter.

As always, Choiseul on the Move will continue to track these trends, break down the data, and keep the people informed — division by division, vote by vote.

Can an Election Be “Pre-Coded” When We Vote on Paper Ballots? Let’s Clear the Air.

In the aftermath of the December 1 elections, a statement circulating from a cybersecurity analyst has stirred serious public concern. The claim suggests that modern elections can be “pre-coded, pre-modeled, and pre-resolved.” It sounds alarming — almost like a movie script. But the question many ordinary Saint Lucians are asking is simple and fair:

How could that be possible when we actually voted with paper ballots, placed them in ballot boxes, and watched them get counted by hand?

Let us calmly and logically walk through this in plain language.

1. How Voting Actually Happens in Saint Lucia

Our elections are built on a manual, paper-based system:

• You receive a paper ballot.
• You mark your choice.
• The ballot goes into a sealed ballot box.
• At the end of voting, those ballots are physically opened and counted by hand.
• Party agents and observers are present.
• Results are written down and shared locally before going to the national level.

This means the actual vote exists in physical form — ink on paper — not as computer data.

2. What “Pre-Coded” Would Mean in a Digital Election

In countries that use electronic voting machines or internet-based voting, votes exist only as digital records. In those systems, it is theoretically possible for software to be manipulated.

But Saint Lucia does not vote electronically. There is no machine deciding your vote. There is no software tabulating your choice at the polling station. The “source document” of your vote is a physical ballot.

That single fact alone makes large-scale hidden “coding” extremely difficult.

3. Could Computers Still Change the Result After Manual Counting?

For a cyber plot to succeed in a manual system, all of the following would have to happen — quietly and nationwide:

• Polling station results would need to be secretly altered.
• Copies held by both political parties would also need to be altered.
• Returning officers would need to cooperate.
• Observers would need to remain silent.
• Media and parallel party counts would all have to match the false numbers.

In a small country where everyone knows everyone, and where multiple independent tallies exist, such a perfectly coordinated operation would be nearly impossible to hide.

Even one photograph of a posted polling station result that didn’t match the national total would immediately expose fraud.

4. What Can Actually Go Wrong in a Manual Election?

Manual systems are not perfect — but their weaknesses are usually human, not digital:

• Clerical errors in counting
• Improper handling of ballot boxes
• Poor training of election staff
• Delayed transmission of results

These are real risks. But they are very different from secret computer programming deciding winners.

5. Why Do “Cyber Rigging” Claims Spread So Easily?

Because:

• Technology feels mysterious.
• The word “cyber” creates fear.
• People already mistrust political institutions.
• Social media amplifies suspicion faster than evidence.
• Loss in an election is emotionally painful.

But feeling cheated is not the same as being digitally hacked. Evidence must match the claim.

Final Word for the Average Saint Lucian

If you:

• Voted on a paper ballot,
• Placed it in a physical box,
• And that box was opened and counted in public,

Then the outcome is rooted in physical reality, not hidden computer code.

This does not mean elections should never be questioned. It does mean that claims of “pre-coded” digital outcomes in a fully manual system must be backed by clear, technical, verifiable proof — not just frightening language.

Democracy survives on transparency, evidence, and truth — not on rumors.

Published on Choiseul on the Move — keeping public discussion grounded in facts, logic, and civic responsibility.

PUT THE RIGHT MAN IN THE RIGHT MINISTRY: WHY KIFfO CHARLES MUST BE ASSIGNED TO PUBLIC UTILITIES OR INFRASTRUCTURE

Saint Lucia now stands at a defining moment—one where political reward must give way to national responsibility. Elections are behind us. The people have spoken. What lies ahead is governance. And governance begins with one of the Prime Minister’s most powerful decisions: the assignment of ministerial portfolios.

In that decision-making process, one name demands careful, strategic consideration—Keithson “Kiffo” Charles, Parliamentary Representative for Choiseul/Saltibus.

This is not about politics.
This is about competence, credibility, and country-first leadership.

A MAN BUILT FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES & ENERGY

For over 25 years, Kiffo Charles has served Saint Lucia through LUCELEC’s Transmission and Distribution Division, rising to the level of supervisor with responsibility for the southern region. This is not ceremonial experience. This is hands-on national infrastructure leadership.

He understands:

• How power is generated, distributed, protected, and restored
• How to respond to outages and system failures
• How to manage crews, equipment, and emergency operations
• How policy decisions translate into real-world service delivery

He is also formally trained, holding:

• A Certificate in Electrical Engineering Technology
• A Certificate in Management from UWI Arthur Lok Jack

This makes him one of the most technically qualified MPs in the House when it comes to energy and utilities. Assigning him anywhere outside of Public Utilities & Energy or Infrastructure would be a misuse of rare expertise.

Saint Lucia is pushing toward:

• Renewable energy conversion
• Grid modernization
• Water and energy reliability
• Climate resilience

These are technical battles, not ceremonial ones. The Ministry of Public Utilities needs a minister who can challenge engineers intelligently, question consultants confidently, and make decisions based on real operational knowledge.

Kiffo Charles is that man.

INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORT: A NATURAL EXTENSION OF HIS SKILLSET

Beyond electricity, Kiffo’s background aligns seamlessly with Infrastructure, Ports and Transport. This ministry governs:

• Roads and bridges
• Drainage systems
• Public transport
• Ports and logistics coordination
• Utility-infrastructure integration

Anyone who understands power distribution understands:

• Load-bearing systems
• Subsurface planning
• Disaster response coordination
• Technical project supervision

This ministry is not for political experimentation. It is for engineers, planners, and project managers. The south of the island—Choiseul, Laborie, Vieux Fort—needs accelerated infrastructure development, and Kiffo brings both technical muscle and constituency urgency.

WHY POLITICAL REWARD MUST NOT OVERRULE NATIONAL INTEREST

Too often in Caribbean politics, ministerial posts are assigned based on:

• Seniority
• Internal party bargaining
• Political balancing
  rather than ability and fit.

Saint Lucia cannot afford that approach now.

Power reliability, water access, and infrastructure resilience are economic pillars, not side issues. Every blackout costs businesses. Every failed water system strains public health. Every delayed road project hurts commerce.

This is where leaders must choose:

• Comfort over competence, or
• Country over convenience.

Assigning Kiffo Charles to Public Utilities or Infrastructure would send a powerful national and international signal:

“This government puts expertise where it matters most.”

THE YOUTH & SPORTS PORTFOLIO: A STRONG SECOND OPTION

Kiffo’s history as

• A recognized youth mentor

also makes him a formidable option for Youth Development & Sports—but this should be considered only if Public Utilities or Infrastructure are unavailable.

The youth portfolio needs discipline, mentorship, structure, and credibility. He brings all four. Yet, even here, the nation would still be under-utilizing his core technical strength.

A DIRECT MESSAGE TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Prime Minister, this is not a call for favoritism.
This is a call for functional governance.

You now have in your Cabinet an individual who:

• Has supervised national infrastructure systems
• Has technical training
• Has real management experience
• Has constituency trust
• Has crisis-response knowledge

To place Keithson “Kiffo” Charles outside of Public Utilities, Energy, or Infrastructure would be to separate skill from responsibility—a mistake Saint Lucia can ill afford.

PUT THE RIGHT MAN WHERE THE WIRES, WATER & ROADS MEET

History will not judge this Cabinet by slogans.
It will judge it by:

• Lights that stay on
• Water that flows
• Roads that last
• Services that work

Kiffo Charles has already spent his life ensuring these systems function. Now he stands ready to shape them at national scale.

The decision is yours, Prime Minister.
But the logic is clear.
And the country is watching.

New Parliament. New Speaker: Why the Reset Must Begin at the Chair

As Saint Lucia prepares to usher in a new Parliament, the nation stands at an important democratic crossroads. Elections are not just about changing faces in the House. They are about renewing confidence in the institutions that govern us. And at the very centre of that renewal must be the office of the Speaker of the House.

The Speaker is not a ceremonial figure. The Speaker is the referee of our democracy — the guardian of order, fairness, and balance between Government and Opposition. When Parliament is sworn in, the country deserves a Speaker who reflects the spirit of a fresh mandate.

Why the Record of the Last Parliament Matters

Over the last parliamentary term, many Saint Lucians followed the proceedings closely. What stood out repeatedly was controversy surrounding:

• Perceived one-sided rulings;
• Frequent objections and walkouts;
• Discipline that appeared unevenly applied;
• Growing public distrust in the neutrality of the Chair.

Whether every ruling was technically correct is not the only issue. In public office, perception is reality. When faith in the impartiality of the Speaker is weakened, the legitimacy of the entire Parliament is affected.

Why Fairness Is Even More Critical Now

The political numbers emerging from the elections paint a sharp imbalance — overwhelming strength on one side and a very small minority on the other. That reality makes the role of the Speaker more important than ever.

When one side holds over 90% of the seats and the other barely 6%, the Speaker must become the bridge — the institution that assures the minority its voice still matters. Without that confidence, Parliament risks sliding into raw majoritarian rule rather than balanced democracy.

Why a New Speaker Is Necessary

A new Parliament should not inherit old controversies. It should begin with a clean slate. A new Speaker would:

• Restore confidence in neutrality;
• Send a signal of national unity and fairness;
• Reassure the minority that their constitutional role is protected;
• Set a new tone of respect and discipline in the House;
• Strengthen public trust in the parliamentary process.

This is not about personalities or punishment. It is about institutional credibility. Democracy is not secured by numbers alone — it is secured by fairness, restraint, and respect for opposing voices.

The Message Going Forward

A new Parliament deserves new leadership at the Chair. The Speaker must rise above political history, party loyalty, and personal allegiance. The office must belong to the people — not to any political side.

Saint Lucia now stands before a powerful opportunity to reset the tone of governance for the next five years. Beginning with a new Speaker would send a clear message:

Fairness will preside. Balance will be protected. Democracy will be respected.

New Parliament. New Speaker.

Kudos Where It’s Due: How Choiseul on the Move Helped Shape the Kiffo Victory

History will show that Choiseul/Saltibus didn’t just drift into a Kiffo victory — a few people stuck their necks out early and said, “If Labour is serious about winning this seat, Keithson ‘Kiffo’ Charles is the man.”

Last night, with the preliminary numbers declaring him the winner for Choiseul/Saltibus on behalf of the Saint Lucia Labour Party, that conviction has aged very, very well.

This post is about giving flowers where they’re due — to Dedan for the pressure he applied through Choiseul on the Move, and to Rayneau Gajadhar for trusting that judgement when it counted.

When Choiseul on the Move Broke from the Crowd

Back when the SLP’s Choiseul/Saltibus candidacy was still in limbo, many names floated around — Darrion, Pauline, Mervin and Kiffo. But while others debated quietly, Choiseul on the Move took a bold stance.

The blog openly questioned the suitability of certain hopefuls, highlighting the risks of candidates who might divide the base or struggle to build trust. With calm but confident analysis, the blog pointed consistently toward one conclusion:

“If Labour wants a real fight in Choiseul, don’t gamble. Choose the one who can match Bradley’s ground game — and still unify the constituency.”

That “one” was Keithson “Kiffo” Charles.

Pressure, Polling Divisions and Roblot Reality Checks

Another message echoed repeatedly across the blog: Roblot matters. A lot.

For months, Choiseul on the Move reminded party strategists that ignoring Roblot — a historically decisive polling division — could be the difference between winning and losing the seat.

By pairing this with strong warnings about risky candidate experiments, the blog shaped a clear thesis:

Labour needed a grounded candidate with deep roots, community respect, and the ability to connect across Delcer, Roblot, La Fargue, Mongouge, and more.

Dedan pushed that message boldly and consistently. And he didn’t do it for likes — he did it because he reads the constituency like a local map in his head.

From Prediction to Reality: Bradley vs. Kiffo

Once the SLP officially selected Keithson “Kiffo” Charles, the blog sharpened its analysis further. It described the race as an “election night nail-biter” — a true down-to-the-wire contest.

The contrast was clear:

• Bradley: recognised, experienced, with tangible constituency projects.
• Kiffo: fresh, calm, respected, and deeply rooted in the soil of Choiseul.

Many doubted it at first. But the blog insisted that a strong, clean, community-centred candidate like Kiffo could shake up the constituency.

Last night, the numbers have proven exactly that.

Rayneau Gajadhar: Trusting the Numbers and the Ground Talk

While political operatives calculated “safe options,” Rayneau Gajadhar was doing something more valuable — listening.

When Dedan shared his early conviction that Kiffo was the right man for Choiseul, Rayneau paid attention. He respected independent analysis and ground truth, not just party chatter. And he supported the judgement that the constituency needed a steady, credible leader.

Last night’s result doesn’t only vindicate Kiffo.
It vindicates a way of thinking:

Listen to the ground. Listen to the people. Trust the voices who have nothing to gain from lying to you.

Giving Flowers Where They’re Due

To Dedan

For using Choiseul on the Move to:
• Ask the hard questions early
• Challenge risky candidate choices
• Highlight the importance of Roblot and the swing boxes
• Push relentlessly for the candidate with the best chance of success

You called it early — and you stood by it.

To Keithson “Kiffo” Charles

For running a respectful, disciplined, people-centred campaign grounded in village values.

Tonight, you delivered.

To Rayneau Gajadhar

For trusting solid judgement and recognising the value of independent analysis.

You saw what many only believed after the numbers arrived.

To the people of Choiseul/Saltibus

For proving that issues-based campaigning still works, and that community voices can reshape political history.

What Comes Next

Now that the celebrations settle, the work begins.

• Praise when it’s earned
• Pressure when it’s needed
• And a reminder that no leader “owns” a seat — leadership is rented from the people, and the rent is paid in service

Choiseul/Saltibus has spoken.
A new chapter begins.