Arthur - file

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Barbadians will go to the polls to elect a new government on Tuesday, January 15 next year, Prime Minister Owen Arthur revealed yesterday during a pre-Christmas national address to the nation.

Nomination day is Monday, December 31.

Arthur, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth successive term for his Barbados Labour Party (BLP), ended months of speculation when he announced the date for the much-anticipated poll during a two-minute address which was broadcast 'live' on radio stations and the island's lone television station.

In the last election, which was held on Monday, May 21, 2003, Arthur's BLP won 23 seats in the 30-member House of Assembly, with the remaining seven going to the Democratic Labour Party.