Parliament was dissolved on Wednesday of this week, with Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie asking H.E. the Governor-General to issue writs for a **General Election** to be held on 2 May, 2007. Noting that The Bahamas is one of the oldest democracies in the world, he pointed out that for two hundred and seventy-eight years now, Bahamians have been going to the polls to elect representatives to the House of Assembly.

Amongst the political rights and freedoms, he said, none is more precious than the right of the Bahamian people to choose their own government in free, fair and democratic elections. Voter turnout at elections has consistently been on the magnitude of ninety plus per cent. *”This is an astounding statistic by world standards,”* said the Prime Minister.

Intentions are for the next Parliament to be convened on the 23 May, 2007.