Prime Minister Gaston Browne has dismissed allegations of vote-buying following his party’s decisive win in Antigua and Barbuda’s general election.

The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) secured 15 of 17 parliamentary seats, in one of the most dominant electoral performances in recent years.

Speaking on a radio programme, Browne rejected claims from opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) supporters that the distribution of building materials influenced voters. Critics had argued that assistance programmes, including the provision of lumber and galvanised sheeting, created an uneven playing field.

Browne said his administration deliberately avoided distributing materials ahead of the poll to prevent any perception of impropriety, despite shipments arriving shortly before election day.

He maintained that such assistance forms part of an ongoing social support programme and is not tied to election cycles.

The prime minister argued that the scale of the victory reflected public approval of his government’s record, citing infrastructure projects, housing initiatives, education expansion and economic growth.

He also criticised the allegations as lacking evidence and suggested the opposition’s defeat was due to internal challenges and a campaign that failed to connect with voters.

“The people have given us a resounding mandate,” Browne said, adding that his government intends to honour that trust.