Barbados Election Set For January 15

by Leroy Baker, Tax-News.com, Washington

27 December 2007

Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur has called a general election for January 15; the election could have been held at any time before May, 2008.

Said the Prime Minister: "I have today advised his excellency the governor general to dissolve Parliament in accordance with the Constitution of Barbados for the purpose of enabling a general election for representatives of the honourable House of Assembly to be held."

Barbados is a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model. The Queen of England, as Head of State, is represented by a Governor-General. The House of Assembly has 30 members, elected for a maximum period of 5 years under universal suffrage. The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party, and his cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General based on his recommendations. There are 21 Senate members, twelve of which are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister, a further two on the advice of the Opposition Leader and the remaining seven at the Governor-General's discretion. Elections which were held in 2003 confirmed the Barbados Labour Party in power, led by Owen Arthur.

December 31 will be nomination day for the poll. David Thompson, leader of the Opposition Democratic Labour Party, complained about the short period allowed for campaigning: "It's . . . abominable that the prime minister would've cut right into what is really one of the most important events for persons who practice the Christian faith."

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