ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Grenada's two main political parties have each nominated 15 candidates to contest the February 19 general elections, according to the Election Office here.

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is hoping for a new five year mandate, while the main opposition New National Party (NNP) which lost the 2008 general election by an 11-4 margin is hoping to reverse that result and regain the power it lost after 13 consecutive years in office.

The latest published opinion poll by the Barbados-based CADRES shows the NNP, led by former prime minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, has a chance of winning more seats that the 12 it had when it lost the government in 2008.

The newly formed National Unity Front (NUF), consisting mainly of disgruntled NDC members as well as the fringe political parties GOD and PULP and independent candidates have together nominated the remaining 16 candidates.

Assistant Supervisor of Election Ada Holder said that all candidates have until Wednesday to withdraw their names from appearing on the ballot paper.

“If on that day, no one withdraws then we will go ahead and print the ballot papers with the various signs for the different constituencies,” Holder said.