Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda will hold a general election in April, after he formally wrote to Governor General Sir Rodney Williams advising him to dissolve Parliament. According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the announcement on the same day that Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) member Randy Baltimore was sworn in as a legislator following his by-election victory.
Browne informed Parliament that he had written to Sir Rodney invoking Section 60, Subsection 1 of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Order 1981, which grants the Governor General the power to prorogue or dissolve Parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister. He said Parliament will be dissolved by proclamation on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The Prime Minister said his government had initially considered issuing the writ of election on the same day, which would have placed the election as early as April 17. However, he said the decision was made to allow the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) additional time to prepare, as the party has not yet fielded a full slate of candidates.
"I am a Christian man, and I believe in mercy," Browne told legislators. "So I've been advised to give them a few more days to allow them to get their house in order, because clearly, even though they are making articulations to the extent that they are ready, they still do not have a full slate as yet."
Browne said Cabinet will meet the following Wednesday to determine whether the writ of election will be issued on March 21. If issued on that date, the election would follow 21 days later — falling on April 22 — with the count inclusive of holidays and Sundays. He added that the writ could also be issued several days later, depending on the opposition's state of readiness, but indicated that any additional time granted would amount to less than a week.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the opposition would use the upcoming Holy Week to consolidate its party ahead of the election campaign.
"We 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, addressing Parliament.
He noted that the process is governed by the Representation of the People Act 2001, Section 30, as amended by Statutory Instrument Number 6 of 2010, and that a subsequent letter to the Governor General would confirm the writ issuance date, the nomination of candidates, and the official date for the general election.
In the last general election, held on January 18, 2023, the ruling ABLP won nine seats, with the remaining seats divided between the UPP and a lone independent candidate.
