Voting underway in St James North by-election

Polling stations are open in St James North where residents are voting to elect a new Member of Parliament.

From all reports so far, voting began smoothly at the seven polling stations across the constituency, with some people arriving ahead of the 6 a.m. opening.

Just over 8 500 voters are registered to cast their ballots in the by-election, which was prompted by the resignation of Barbados Labour Party (BLP) MP Edmund Hinkson last month.

Vying to fill the vacant seat are Chad Blackman, who is seeking to retain the constituency for the ruling BLP; Felicia Dujon of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP); Steffanie Williams of the Community Empowerment Party; and Alex Mitchell of the Bajan Free Party.

Polls are scheduled to close at 6 p.m.