Dissolution vs Prorogation… What’s the Difference and What’s Next?

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Wednesday morning’s dissolution of Parliament came nearly a week after the House of Assembly was prorogued, and while the two actions had many similarities, they had starkly different results.

That day’s dissolution put the country on a direct path to a general election.

So, what was next?

Well, our Jasmin Brown joined us live from Parliament Square and told us more.

David Forbes – Clerk, Parliament Of The Bahamas

“Absolutely the most important thing… The Parliamentary process”

That was how Parliamentary Clerk David Forbes described the vital role Parliament played in the democratic process.

From proclamations that prorogued or dissolved Parliament to the writ of election, they all played a role in triggering a general election.

Forbes said the dissolution of Parliament had a specific role in the process.

David Forbes – Clerk, Parliament Of The Bahamas

“A dissolution demands an election. what you had today was the dissolution of Parliament and that means that all Parliamentarians lose their seat in the house of assembly, and all the seats are vacant now.”

That day’s dissolution followed the previous week’s proroguing of Parliament, the first sign the country was inching closer to a general election.

Prorogation signaled the end of a parliamentary session. It brought nearly all parliamentary business—including most bills and all motions and parliamentary questions—to a close.

The primary difference between dissolution and prorogation was that after prorogation, the same Parliament reconvened with the same sitting MPs, while after dissolution, an election took place and a new Parliament was formed.

And that election was slated for May 12th.

David Forbes – Clerk, Parliament Of The Bahamas

“Tomorrow we are expecting to have the writ of election, which will then me another proclamation that sets the date and the time of these elections I will wind up the whole procedure to allow you to have an election and to provice for the next new parliament”