Barbados Elections Set for February 11 as PM Mottley Announces Dissolution of Parliament

Barbados Elections Set for February 11 as PM Mottley Announces Dissolution of Parliament

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Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley has officially set the island on the path to a general election, announcing late Saturday that she has advised President Jeffrey Bostic to dissolve Parliament, triggering elections scheduled for Wednesday, February 11.

Addressing supporters in Bridgetown, Prime Minister Mottley revealed that the formal dissolution will take effect on Monday, January 19. The announcement came on the heels of a major political development—the nomination of former Democratic Labour Party Cabinet minister Michael Lashley as the Barbados Labour Party candidate for the City of Bridgetown.

According to the Prime Minister, she visited the President “just after four o’clock this evening” to formally advise that Parliament be dissolved, and she instructed government officials to immediately move forward with the necessary preparations to facilitate the electoral process.

Mottley explained that the constitutional machinery for the elections has already been set in motion. “The writs for elections will be issued, having been proven and approved by the honourable Attorney General,” she stated, adding that arrangements are underway for the writs to be prepared and delivered to the President the following day.

Outlining the official campaign timeline, the Prime Minister confirmed that nomination day will be held on Tuesday, January 27. “When we are satisfied that candidates have been legitimately nominated and there are contests to be had,” she said, “polling day shall be Wednesday, the 11th of February.”

In her address, Mottley struck a unifying tone, repeatedly calling on supporters of the Barbados Labour Party to stand firm and remain cohesive as the campaign unfolds. Emphasizing collective effort, she noted that “when we work together, we build that platform that can be fruitful,” reinforcing her party’s central campaign message of unity and shared purpose.

Framing the dissolution of Parliament as an essential part of democratic governance, the Prime Minister reminded supporters that leadership must always be renewed by the people. “If a leader wishes to continue,” she said, “you must come back to us for a new mandate,” underscoring the importance of public confidence and electoral legitimacy.

Mottley also highlighted recent legislative action taken by her administration, pointing to tangible achievements ahead of the election call. She noted that “only yesterday, we laid in Parliament a bill to vest ownership in the housing estates… to vest over 200 people with titles,” describing the move as a fulfillment of long-standing promises and a step toward economic security for hundreds of Barbadians.

With the election clock now officially ticking, election officials and political party organizers face a compressed schedule to finalize nominations, prepare polling stations, and ensure a smooth voting process ahead of the January 27 nomination day and the February 11 general election.

The coming weeks are expected to see intensified campaigning across the island as parties make their case to voters on issues of governance, economic stability, social development, and national unity.

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