A by-election will be held March 16 in St. Philip’s North following the resignation of veteran parliamentarian Sir Robin Yearwood after 50 years in the House of Representatives.

The contest will pit the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s Randy Baltimore against the United Progressive Party’s Alex Browne in what is expected to be a closely watched race.

Sir Robin stepped down with immediate effect Wednesday, just hours after being honoured during a special sitting of Parliament marking five decades of uninterrupted service.

In a letter read in the House, he reflected on what he described as “exactly 50 years” in the Lower House, noting he had first taken office on Feb. 18, 1976, and had been returned to Parliament 11 times by voters in St. Philip’s North.