Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller raises the symbolic trumpet as she prepares to announce August 27 as the election date, in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, last night. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller last night released her closely guarded secret, announcing to People's National Party (PNP) supporters in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, that the country will go to the polls on the eve of the new school year.

"I told them nobody should predict me ... I told them I do not talk in my sleep ... The election date will be the 27th of August," Simpson Miller declared to a massive audience shortly after presenting the party's 60 candidates.

"I will advise the Governor-General when to issue the proclamation dissolving Parliament in time for nomination day," the Prime Minister added.

Nomination day will be August 7.

"I am the seventh Prime Minister of Jamaica and Jamaica has seven National Heroes and so nomination day will be on the seventh of August," she said, a clear indication that she played into prophet Dr. Phillip Phinn's declaration of 'The Laws of the Sevens and the Seventh Prime Minister'.

The Prime Minister announced the election date at 10:37 p.m.

Specially ordained

Dr. Phinn had predicted that Simpson Miller would win the election as she had been specially ordained by God, making reference to the power of the number seven in biblical lore.

Last night, in the midst of a sea of orange, which two senior police officers estimated to be between 100,000 and 120,000 supporters, former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson handed Simpson Miller the symbolic key to "fly di gate".

Prior to last night, there was major speculation that the election would be in July, the seventh month of the year. However, Simpson Miller said she wants to give Parliament enough time to pass a bill making it illegal for people to show their ballots.

The Prime Minister also said that she would not interfere with Emancipation and Independence celebrations on August 1 and 6, respectively.

In fact, she said that her party will not have any campaign activities from July 31 to August 6.

The country has been on election alert since last July, months after Simpson Miller assumed the reins of prime ministership.

The PNP has been in government since 1989 and is seeking an unprecedented fifth term in power.

Election facts

1.	The Governor-General shall, by proclamation, appoint the day upon which the poll shall be held at any election. At a general election, the writs for all the constituencies shall be dated on the same day, and shall name the same day of the poll.
2.	The day appointed as nomination day shall be at least five clear days after the announcement of election day.
3.	The election is to be held at least 16 days, but no more than 23 days, after the date appointed as nomination day.
4.	The Governor-General may grant a delay in the election if there is:
(a) War, or likely engagement in war; (b) State of emergency under the Emergency Powers Act; (c) Earthquake, hurricane or flood; (d) Printing problems re official lists for all constituencies or for any particular constituency before election day; (e) Riot, open violence or other civil disturbance prejudicingthe poll. The G-G may adjourn the poll up to 30 days after the originally announced election day.

Source: Representation of The People Act

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