ABLP candidate Michael Freeland believes the outcome of the St. George constituency race could be determined by voters who sat out the 2023 general election — and says his campaign has spent months targeting exactly that group ahead of the April 30 poll.

According to Antigua News Room, Freeland made the remarks during a "Know Your Candidates" interview, pointing to turnout figures from 2023 when the United Progressive Party claimed the seat by a margin of just 141 votes — 2,146 to 2,005 — in one of the country's most closely contested races.

Freeland said the numbers point to a significant untapped opportunity. "If you look at the stats… you'll see close to 1,500 persons did not vote," he said. "And I can assure you that 80% of that 1,500 are Labourites."

He described an extensive ground campaign over the past four to five months aimed at converting those non-voters into active supporters. "I've seen over the last four or five months of active campaigning, I've seen over 5,000 individuals who are eligible to vote in this upcoming election," Freeland said. "That just goes to show you that I'm making an effort to ensure that the persons not only hear me, but they see me."

For voters he has not been able to reach in person, Freeland said his campaign has relied on phone calls, WhatsApp messaging and social media outreach. "For those who have not seen me, I've at least made communication with them via phone or via WhatsApp, social media, and that sort of thing," he said.

Freeland expressed confidence that the outreach will pay off on election day. "I believe I would have pleaded my case," he said. "I believe I would have shown these individuals who have not voted that I am the man for the job."

He added that the sheer size of the electorate — with more than 6,000 registered voters in the constituency — makes turnout a decisive factor. "I'm confident that they will come out and say, 'Listen, we're going to give this guy a chance,'" he said.

St. George is widely expected to be among the most closely watched battleground seats in the April 30 general election, with both major parties directing significant attention toward undecided and previously inactive voters in the final stretch of the campaign.