Parliament has been dissolved in Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed.

Last Friday, Browne announced plans to dissolve Parliament, but delayed slightly to give the opposition time to prepare.

Addressing the House, he said he wrote to Governor General Rodney Williams under Section 60 of the Constitution. This formally triggers a general election.

Initially, the government planned to dissolve Parliament immediately and issue the writ the same day. Elections would have followed within 21 days.

However, Browne explained the plan changed after colleagues urged him to show “a little mercy.” The opposition had not finalized candidates.

“We don’t want to put the opposition at a major disadvantage,” he said, adding they would have less than a week to prepare.

The Prime Minister will instruct the Governor General on when to issue the writ. If done this month, elections could fall toward late April.

Meanwhile, Browne warned supporters not to be complacent despite polling showing a strong lead for the ruling ABLP.

On his weekly radio programme, he urged voters to complete registration and ID requirements. “It is not won until it is won,” he said.

Recent polling shows ABLP support at 49 per cent versus 26 per cent for the UPP. Browne’s personal approval rating stands at 59 per cent.

Pollsters in Barbados and Jamaica reported similar trends, confirming what Browne called a “decisive shift” in voter support. The UPP has not responded publicly.

In other news, the Democratic National Alliance announced it will not contest the upcoming election. Former legislator Joanne Massiah leads the party.

The DNA thanked its supporters and confirmed it will sit out the snap polls, expected within the coming weeks.

At the last election on January 18, 2023, the ABLP won nine of 17 seats. The UPP and an independent candidate took the remaining seats.

With Parliament dissolved and the writ pending, parties are ramping up campaigns. The country now enters full election mode.