Following the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet’s instructions to the Supervisor of Elections on June 9 to put the necessary measures in place required to hold elections, speculations have been high that the bell could toll at any minute.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has also been hinting at that possibility for some time now.
On his recent radio program, he gave insight into his strategy.
“What I am doing here, I am generating options rather than blocking myself and my party into the option of a singular date. I want to make sure everything is in place so if the opportunity arises”
“We can be assured that it will be done using the science of polling to determine that the Labour party is still strong and we are likely to take most of the seats. If that happens later this year and next year what am I waiting for?”
“If the party is not in a state of readiness and the opportunity arises then it will be a missed opportunity. I don’t want you to think that it is some wild speculative decision to go and hold an election at an early date. It is a strategic decision to call the election at a most appropriate time.”
The PM went further to put his colleagues on notice that they need to be prepared.
“I not scaring anybody. As they say a still tongue keepeth a wise head. It may be that we may go to March of 2023, or we may not.”
“All I will say to the people of Antigua and Barbuda, especially to my colleagues who will be running in the various constituencies, just be ready because I am not afraid to call the election early.”
