Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called general elections nearly two years ahead of schedule, citing global instability and the need to secure a fresh mandate before potential international crises affect Antigua and Barbuda.

Speaking at the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) campaign launch on Tuesday, Browne described the April 30 poll as a move to ensure governmental continuity rather than a strategy to exploit opposition weakness.

“That is one of the main reasons why I’ve called the early elections, to ensure the continuity of the country,” he said, highlighting the party’s experience in managing crises including COVID-19.

Browne dismissed suggestions that the timing was designed to catch the United Progressive Party (UPP) off guard, insisting the decision prioritised national stability. He urged voters to check their identification cards and participate in the election.

Parliament was dissolved on April 1, with nomination day set for April 13. The snap election comes three years into the current term; the ABLP holds a strengthened position in the 17-seat House of Representatives following by-election gains and floor crossings. The UPP ratified its 16 candidates on Tuesday and will launch its campaign on April 12 under the theme “Ignite.”