THERE has been much commentary on the date for the dissolution of Parliament since President Donald Ramotar announced a date for elections.

And in an invited comment on Friday, the Head of State told the Guyana Chronicle that the dissolution could be done this week.
“I do not want to commit to a date as yet, but very soon. Possibly next week [this week],” he said.
The dissolution of Parliament, according to the Constitution, must be made “within” three months of the date for the General and Regional Elections, set for May 11.
Article 61 of the Constitution states: “An election of members of the National Assembly under Article 60 (2) shall be held on such day within three months after every dissolution of Parliament, as the President shall appoint by proclamation.”
Until the dissolution of Parliament, it remains prorogued following President Donald Ramotar’s November 10 proclamation, in the face of a no-confidence motion that would have ended the life of the 10th Parliament and move the country to even earlier elections.
The Head of State’s subsequent announcement of a date for elections came after the objectives of prorogation – dialogue in the face of political impasse – failed.
The May 11 elections come more than a year earlier than due, the last General and Regional Elections having been held in November 2011. (Vanessa Narine)