ST. JOHN’S Antigua (WiredJA)- Immediately following yesterday’s funeral ceremony and burial of the former member of parliament for the St. Peter constituency, Asot Michael, prime minister Gaston Browne wasted no time in announcing the required by-election to effect his replacement.
The following is the media statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister at the conclusion of Asot Michael’s funeral ceremony, prompting many people to question the “indecent haste” with which the prime minister has moved to fill the vacancy.
MEDIA STATEMENT
Following the death and the burial this afternoon of the former Member of Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announces that he has written to the Governor General, as required by the 1981 Constitution Order of Antigua and Barbuda Section 41(3), to fill the vacancy created in the Parliament.
“…where the seat of an elected member of the House is vacant…there shall be a by-election to fill the seat in the House …and that by-election shall be held not later than 120 days after the date on which the seat of the Member of the House became vacant…”
And, the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2002, specifying the time-frames within which the by-election may be held, the Prime Minister has directed the Governor General to ensure that the following steps be taken in accordance with the law:
Monday 23 December 2024 – Issuance of the Writ of Election
Tuesday 31 December 2024 – Day of Nomination of Candidates
Tuesday 14 January 2025 – Day of by-Election in the St. Peter Constituency
Having satisfied the requirements of the Constitution and the law, a by-election for the vacant seat in the St. Peter Constituency shall take place within 68 calendar days– minus the cilt Sundays and four public holidays intervening– on 14 January 2025, well within the 120 days stipulated by the Constitution, following the 5 November 2024 vacancy occurring.