ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC—Prime Minister Gaston Browne has written to the Governor General, Rodney Williams, indicating that the by-election in the St. Peter constituency will be held on January 14, next year.
A government statement said that Browne wrote to the head of state on Thursday, the same day of the burial of Asot Michel, 54, the parliamentary representative for St. Peter, who was found dead at his home with “multiple puncture wounds about his body” on November 5.
Police have since charged 27-year-old Alexta Francis with his murder. According to the government statement, the writ for the by-election will be issued on Monday, December 23, with Nomination Day scheduled for December 31.
Michael contested the last general election on January 18, 2023, as an independent candidate after he fell out with the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).
The ABLP won none of the 17 seats in the parliament, with the main opposition, the United Progressive Party, winning six seats and the Barbuda People’s Movement winning the seat in Barbuda.
Michael was first elected to the House of Representatives for the constituency of Saint Peter in 2004.
and then 