The United Progressive Party (UPP) and its candidate for St Philip’s North, Alex Browne, and the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s Randy Baltimore were both officially nominated earlier today.

They arrived at the Nelvie N. Gore Primary School in Willikies this morning to be officially nominated for the upcoming March 16 by-election.

Supporters clad in party colours gathered outside the nomination centre, cheering for both candidates as they entered the compound to complete the formal process with election officials.

The by-election was triggered following the resignation of long-serving Member of Parliament Sir Robin Yearwood, who represented the constituency for more than five decades.

Yearwood’s departure brought an end the longest parliamentary tenure in the nation’s history and left the St Philip’s North seat vacant.

Alex Browne (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

With both major political parties now officially represented, the campaign period is expected to intensify in the coming days as voters in St Philip’s North prepare to return to the polls on March 16.

Randy Baltimore (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

The contest is widely seen as a significant political test in the wake of Yearwood’s resignation, with both parties aiming to secure momentum in the constituency.