The battle is on for the hearts and minds of the Barbadian electorate as they prepare to cast their votes. While we would never seek to discount the impact of those seeking to represent third parties, it is expected to be a straight fight between the incumbent Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the established opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP).Over the years, Barbadians have taken the matter of general elections as a serious civic responsibility and have been active participants in the process.Emerging from the announcement of Prime Minister Mottley of a snap election a year and half before it is constitutionally due, were some developments that can only be described as messy.