ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) -Antigua and Barbuda Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney on Friday appealed to political parties to ensure there is a peaceful campaign ahead of the January 14 by-election for the St Peter constituency.

The seat became vacant following the murder of independent legislator, Asot Michel, 54, who was found dead at his home with “multiple puncture wounds about his body” on November 5.  Police have since charged 27-year-old Alexta Francis, with his murder.

Michael, who was first elected to the House of Representatives for the constituency of Saint Peter in 2004, had contested the last general election on January 18, 2023 as an independent candidate after he fell out with the ruling the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).

Both the ABLP and the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) are contesting the by-election and Rodney said he is aware that there will be situations where the parties will have events that will coincide with each other’s activities.

“You will have situations where you will have whistle stops…and another party might be having an activity. We are saying let us respect each other, let us have the attitude of peace so that we do not have any confrontation,” Rodney said during a radio interview here.

He told radio listeners that the police stand ready to maintain order during the electoral process.

“Both parties have submitted their list of activities and we have been working along with them and so we don’t have clashes and conflicts,” he said, adding “the police are prepared to go the extra mile to provide that level of security.

“We are asking the political leaders, the supporters, and all those other persons that are working along with those campaigns to be respectful. The legislation is there, we have the People’s Representation Act, we have the Public Order Act, and there is legislation that provides security and safety measures for us in the community,” Rodney added.

The ABLP won none of the 17 seats in the last general election with the UPP winning six seats and the Barbuda People’s Movement winning the seat in Barbuda.