Ruling party wins Dominica poll

Mr Skerrit campaigned in support of the IMF programme

Preliminary results suggest the Caribbean island of Dominica has voted to renew the mandate of the governing Labour party.

The Dominica Labour Party gained a narrow victory, winning 11 of the 21 seats on the island of 70,000 people.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, a 32-year-old former lecturer, called on all Dominicans to work together to develop the economy of the country.

On hearing the results he announced Friday would be a national holiday.

Campaigning focused on a programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which created growth, but also saw tax rises and job cuts.

Correspondents say Labour's win will vindicate the policies of Mr Skerrit, who supported the IMF programme.

His opponent in the United Workers Party, Edison James, disagreed with the economic programme and the government's decision to switch its diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China.