by Linda Straker
- Grenada’s next general elections constitutionally due no later than October 2027
- Nutmeg with 7 stars in a semicircle is 38th symbol approved since Representation of the People Act became law
- Some approved symbols have not been used in all elections since 1984
A nutmeg with 7 stars in a semicircle is the 38th symbol approved by the Lower House of Parliament to be used on the ballot paper for any election in the future.
It was approved during the 13 May 2025 sitting of the Lower House, but was signed by Governor-General Dame Cecile La Grenada on 4 April 2025.
Presented by Philip Telesford, Leader of Government Business in the House, who explained that the regulations have been made to insert a new symbol to be used on ballot papers under the Representation of the People (Election Symbols) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025.
The individual or grouping behind a new symbol under the regulations is not generally disclosed in parliament, but it’s an indication that there is a new political organisation or political independent, preparing to contest an upcoming election.
Though this will be the 38th symbol approved since the Representation of the People Act became law, some of these symbols have not been used in all elections since 1984, when constitutional democracy returned to Grenada. Since the 1984 General Elections, the only symbol used on every ballot has been the House, which is the symbol for the New National Party (NNP) and the Star, which is the symbol for the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP).
The Heart which represents the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was first used as an election symbol for the 1990 General Elections and has been on the ballot paper since. Some of the symbols not in use are the Bread, the Moon, the Computer, the Waterfall, the Flying Red Horse, the Anchor, the Wheel and the Banana.
Grenada’s next general elections are constitutionally due no later than October 2027. In late 2024, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell assured that 2025 would not be an election year because his government had just started.