Antigua PM says election will be held in April

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Friday confirmed that he has written to Sir Rodney Williams advising the dissolution of Parliament, paving the way for a general election expected next month.

Browne told legislators that he acted under Section 60(1) of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Order 1981, which allows the Governor General, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, to prorogue or dissolve Parliament.

The Prime Minister made the announcement the same day Randy Baltimore of the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party was sworn in as a legislator following his by-election victory last week.

Browne said the government initially intended to prorogue Parliament and issue the election writ immediately, which could have resulted in elections being held by April 17. However, he said the administration opted to delay the move to avoid placing the opposition United Progressive Party at a disadvantage.

“I am a Christian man, and I believe in mercy,” Browne told Parliament, adding that the opposition had not yet finalized its full slate of candidates.

The Prime Minister said he will instead advise the Governor General to dissolve Parliament on April 1, 2026, by proclamation. Cabinet is expected to determine next week whether the writ of election will be issued the same day.

Browne explained that once the writ is issued, elections must be held 21 days later, including weekends and holidays, in accordance with the Representation of People Act 2001.

“If the writ is issued on the 21st, then the elections will be 21 days afterwards,” Browne said, adding that the government may allow the opposition several additional days but not more than a week to prepare.

He also suggested that the opposition use the upcoming Holy Week period to organize and finalize preparations.

“We are hoping that next week, being Holy Week, the opposition will utilise Holy Week to bring their party together, to get some love in their hearts, and to get in a state of readiness,” Browne said.

Following the dissolution, further correspondence will be sent to the Governor General confirming the issuance of the writ, nomination day, and the official date for general elections.

In the last general election held on January 18, 2023, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won nine seats, while the remaining seats were shared between the United Progressive Party and one independent candidate.