Symister says announcement of SMS by-election date must come by early next week at latest

As the countdown to the by-election in St. Mary’s South continues,
Leon Chaku Symister, the United Progressive Party (UPP)
spokesperson on legal matters, is predicting that the date will be
announced this week.
  
Symister believes the date will be announced by Friday, September
29 – or the beginning of next week, by the latest – based on
constitutional requirements.
 
He says that while his calculations put the by-election date at
October 26, the Browne Administration is saying the poll should be
no later than October 28.
 
After the Writ of Elections has been issued, Symister reminds the
public, at least 21 days must elapse before the by-election is held.
Therefore, he says, it must be held between October 22 and 28.
 
Symister notes that within that three-week period, there has to be
Nomination Day, which comes seven days after the Writ, as well as
the publication of the Register for Elections. The Register has to be
published no later than 14 days after the Writ has been issued, he
says.
 
Meanwhile, the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) candidate, Dwayne
George, will also have to meet the constitutional requirements of
resigning from the Senate and the public service, he says.  
 
In the meantime, Symister says that Simon is doing very well in the
constituency based on the polls done.
 
He also lauds the young politician for the strides he has made as a
representative for, and of, the people since he was elected to office
on January 18, 2023.