Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has announced an early election date of June 6.

In a May 19 address titled "The Die is Cast," Dr. Anthony stressed that while the fifth anniversary of the last general election isn't until November, an early election is in the best interests of the country.

"As you are probably aware, the fifth anniversary of the last general election is Nov. 28. Our Constitution says that 'Parliament, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date of the first sitting of the House. . .' This would mean that general elections are constitutionally due, for the latest, three months after the first sitting of Parliament which was [last] held on Jan. 5, 2012. In effect, the government would have had until April 5, 2017 to call general elections," he explained.

"However, I have decided in the interest of our country to call the general election several months ahead of its due date, [as] I felt it best that the government be given the opportunity to present, within a reasonable period after the general election, its economic and policy proposals by way of a financial statement to the House."

Earlier this year, following the debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2016/2017, there was no presentation of a budget.

"You would have noticed that while there was a debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Financial Year 2016/2017, there was no presentation of a Budget Address. The explanation is rather simple. Our Constitution requires that the Minister of Finance prepares and lays the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure 'before or not later than thirty days after the commencement of the financial year.' In turn, the Constitution provides for an Appropriation Bill to be introduced in the House of Assembly to authorize expenditure from the Consolidated Fund. These are the two fundamental requirements established by the Constitution to allow expenditure by the Government. Clearly, we need to ensure that any expenditure by the Government is fully authorized, and we have done so."

The early election will ensure peace, stability and certainty in the country and its affairs, Dr. Anthony added.