Premier Paul Davis elusive on date of election writ

Premier Paul Davis was elusive Monday when asked when he planned to visit the lieutenant-governor in order for the legislature to be dissolved and the Nov. 30 election campaign to officially get underway.

According to the Elections Act, the premier has to issue the writ anywhere from 30 to 21 days before the fixed date election, which means he could conceivably wait until Nov. 8, or go as early as Friday, Oct. 30.

The date of the writ issue and election day are not counted in that formula, says an official with Elections Newfoundland and Labrador.

When asked, Davis said he did not want to conflict with the swearing-in of a new federal government and cabinet in Ottawa, which is scheduled for Nov. 4

"It will be before the 21-day writ period is up," he said with a grin.

The governing Progressive Conservatives have been in power since 2003, and Davis will be looking to lead the party to a fourth consecutive election win, though the party has been trailing in public opinion polls and have lost a series of byelections.

The PCs currently have 28 MHAs in the legislature while the Liberals have 16. The New Democrats have three elected members, and Earle McCurdy is the party's un-elected leader.