The announcement for the dissolution of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly is to be announced for August 15, 2014.
This means that General Elections 2014 can be held no less than 21 days from this date and no more than 90 days. While the dissolution must be published in the Gazette, there has been no proclamation by the Governor of an election date Premier Meade reportedly is sticking to his September 12 date.
The September 12 date had caused suggestions for a change of date from MP Victor James citing that Seventh Day Adventists while observing the Sabbath will not be able to listen to election results. According to Chairman Fergus the electoral Commission sought a date instead of the 12th for logistical reasons, stating, “The date commonly cited for the 2014 elections is 12 September, which is a Friday;” noting also, “one member of the Assembly and his Seventh Day Adventist brethren are unhappy with that date. The SDA church in St. John’s would be requested for use as a polling station, it being, …about the best station (location) in the last elections.”
In the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, August 14, while trying to humiliate the leader of the opposition, the Premier sought to make it appear that the elections date was changed from his date because of a request from James. Elections will most likely take place on August 11, 2014 and nomination day is on Monday, August 25.
Meanwhile voter education continued as announced through to August 21, 2014.
