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(3) The President may, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, dissolve
Parliament by proclamation, but only after a lapse of 3 years and 6 months from the date
of its first meeting after a general election of the members of Parliament.
Writ for election
59.—(1) The writ for the election of members of Parliament shall be issued by the
President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
(2) The writ for a general election must be issued within 7 days from the expiry of
Parliament or from the proclamation of its dissolution by the President.
(3) The writ for a by-election must be issued within 7 days from the date when a seat
or seats in Parliament become vacant, or within 7 days from the date of determination
by the Court of Disputed Returns if an application is made to it under section 63(5) or
section 66.
Date of nomination
60. The last day for the receipt of a nomination of a candidate for election to
Parliament is 14 days after the date of the issue of the writ.
Date of polling
61. Polling commences no later than 30 days after the last day for the receipt of
nominations.
Early dissolution of Parliament
62.—(1) Notwithstanding section 58(3), the President must declare Parliament
dissolved early if Parliament has adopted a resolution to dissolve early, supported by at
least two-thirds of the members of Parliament.
(2) A resolution for early dissolution of Parliament under subsection (1) may be
moved—
(a) only on the grounds that the Government lacks the confidence of Parliament;
(b) only by the Leader of the Opposition; and
(c) only if Parliament has first rejected a motion of no confidence in the Prime
Minister under section 94.
(3) No motion for early dissolution may be moved within—
(a) 18 months immediately after the beginning of Parliament’s term; or
(b) 6 months immediately before the end of Parliament’s ordinary 4 year term.
Vacation of seat of member of Parliament
63.—(1) The seat of a member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member—
(a) dies, or resigns by giving to the Speaker a signed resignation;
(b) with the member’s consent, becomes the holder of a public office (as
defined in section 57);