As Saint Lucia prepares for its December 1, 2025 general election, Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire is urging citizens to treat the moment not just as a political contest, but as an important act of national responsibility and democratic expression. In a national address, he appealed to voters, candidates, and institutions to approach the election with integrity, unity, and a commitment to the nation’s values.
“I speak to you in light of the upcoming general elections,” he said, describing the vote as one of the “noblest expressions of human freedom and civic responsibility.” He reminded Saint Lucians that elections embody a nation’s collective resolve to choose its path and uphold the principles of justice, good governance, and democracy.
The Archbishop noted that the right to vote was won through generations of struggle worldwide. Because of this, he said, Saint Lucians must never take their democratic freedoms for granted. Each election, he added, is an opportunity to renew the country’s independence and reaffirm that “power in a democracy belongs to the people.”
He encouraged citizens to approach the polls thoughtfully and ethically, calling voting “a moral obligation” that supports social order and the common good. Decisions, he said, should be based on careful judgment rather than emotions or personal favors.
Addressing the broader environment, the Archbishop stressed that democracy cannot thrive where intimidation, manipulation, or bribery exists. He urged political parties, government agencies, law enforcement, civil society, the media, and the Church to work together to preserve the credibility of the electoral process. “People must be free to vote according to their conscience,” he said.
Turning to candidates, he reminded them that public office is a vocation centered on service. He called for leadership rooted in humility, honesty, and a sincere commitment to improving the lives of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. He warned that inducements, including vote-buying, erode trust and reduce politics to opportunism. “True leadership does not rely on buying loyalty but on earning trust,” he said.
He also highlighted the critical role of election officials and institutions in ensuring a transparent, impartial, and trustworthy process. The media, he added, must provide accurate information and promote meaningful dialogue so voters can make informed choices.
The Archbishop emphasized that the value of elections extends beyond who wins. “They are a means to build consensus, renew trust in leadership, and strengthen national unity,” he said. Once results are announced, he urged winners to govern with humility and those who fall short to accept the outcome with dignity, noting that democracy depends on mutual respect between government and opposition.
He further encouraged citizens to remain engaged after voting day, stressing that the health of a democracy relies on continued dialogue, advocacy, and holding leaders accountable.
“As Saint Lucia approaches December 1st, we stand once more at a crossroads,” he said. He urged the nation to reject division, corruption, and fear, and to embrace justice, peace, and solidarity. All participants voters, candidates, officials, and observers must work together to ensure the election reflects “the best of who we are as a people.”
The Archbishop closed by calling for a free, fair, and peaceful election, encouraging Saint Lucians to approach the ballot box with “pride, peace, and purpose.” The right to vote, he said, is both a symbol of shared humanity and a foundation for the future. “May truth and justice guide our choices, and may God bless our beloved Saint Lucia now and always.”
