Antigua and Barbuda voters will go to the polls on March 12th.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of the ruling United Progressive Labor Party made the announcement in a public address to the nation Thursday, hours after the U.S. Securities watchdog laid charges against Sir Allen Stanford.
Nomination Day will be Wednesday, February 25th. Spencer last night urged all parties to follow a Christian Code of Conduct and `readily endorse any initiative that can reduce tensions and disruptions in the election campaign.`
`I am confident that despite existing tensions, the general election will proceed peacefully,` he said, while referencing two recent fires, believed to be arson, that occurred at constituency offices belonging to the main opposition, Antigua Labour Party, led by former PM, Lester Bird. `I appeal to all in the society to participate fully and peacefully in the electoral process. Whatever happens on Election Day, we will all have to live, pray and work together to overcome the daunting challenges facing our beloved country. The future of our country and the future of generations yet unborn are in our hands. We have no option but to put aside political differences and to cast aside political extremists. This is the framework in which we must elect our next government.`
The election comes as the island`s tourism industry has seen a downturn and the unemployment rate could be further impacted by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission`s charges laid against billionaire Allen Stanford, who has invested heavily in the country`s financial sector.
Antigua and Barbuda elects on the national level a legislature. Parliament has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 19 members, 17 members elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies, 1 ex-officio member and 1 Speaker. The Senate has 17 appointed members.
Source: Caribworldnews.com
