ST. JOHN’S, Antigua-PRIME MINISTER Baldwin Spencer left supporters mildly confused yesterday (Feb. 8) at the King George V Grounds as he announced the dissolution of Parliament, but refused to state his chosen date for the next general elections.
The dissolution of Parliament took effect as of this morning (Feb. 9), but last night many United Progressive Party (UPP) supporters had been hoping to hear the announcement of what Spencer referred to as “Justice Day”.
“You have to understand how this thing works. Justice Day is very near, my brothers and sisters, very near. The date is not far off. When you hear parliament has dissolved, you know the next announcement that you are going to hear and that is to take place within a particular period of time,” the PM said to thousands of his supporters at the grounds.
Dissolving Parliament is an important first step, however, toward holding general elections according to section 61.1 of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution, which mandates that elections be held within three months of Parliament being disbanded.
Despite withholding the election date, Spencer said he had already determined it and would be making it known in due time.
“We are not going to delay it, we are going to make it short and quick and sweet. I have the date, but I cannot give it to you tonight. I have to make sure that certain things are in place first and so, brothers and sisters, the next time we have a massive rally, that will be the declaration of Justice Day,” he stated.
The UPP will be seeking its second consecutive term in office since ousting the Antigua Labour Party in 2004, which had been the ruling administration for all of Antigua’s 23-year history as an independent nation.
Additionally, the Organisation for National Development Party is expected to contest four of the 17 candidacy seats when elections are called this year.
Antigua News