WITH speculation rife that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will call elections in July, our newsroom has been receiving queries from readers about the legal requirements for elections.

Under the sections 21 and 21A of the Representation of the People Act governing elections, there first has to be a notice of elections by the prime minister. This notice must be published in the Gazette not more than seven days after the announcement.

The announcement will set a date for Nomination Day, which itself should not be more than seven days after publication of the notice in the Gazette. Nomination Day must also be at least five clear days from the announcement of the elections.

Finally, there must not be not less than 16 days nor more than 23 days between Nomination Day and Election Day.

Incidentally, this means that there is still time for the prime minister to call elections in July. However, she is unlikely to do so until her party has agreed on a candidate for the South East St Ann constituency where there is a selection dispute, now involving Lisa Hanna, Miss World 1993.