Elections were held for all the members of the 17-seat House of Assembly following premature dissolution of Parliament on 6 February 1982. General elections had previously been held on 3 July 1979.

On 16 January 1982, Winston Cenac, who had formed a Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) Government in May 1981, resigned following public protests against his Government and a nationwide general strike. An all-party interim coalition Government was then formed by Michael Pilgrim, deputy leader of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP). Parliament was dissolved on 6 February and a general election thus became due within 90 days.

A total of 51 candidates contested the election.  Three political parties – the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) led by Peter Josie; the United Workers Party (UWP) led by John Compton, and the George Odlum led Progressive Labour Party (PLP) - each presented a full slate of 17 candidates. 

On polling day, the United Workers' Party (UWP), led by John Compton, won 14 of the 17 Assembly seats, thus defeating the formerly dominant SLP; the PLP obtained one seat.  Compton consequently returned to power as Prime Minister on 5 May after a three-year lapse.   The SLP won two seats and the Progressive Labour Party took the remaining seat.  Voter turnout was 66.9%.