CHARLOTTETOWN — There is speculation that Prince Edward Island's new premier could call an election on Monday.
Media reports in the province say Wade MacLauchlan will make a "special announcement" at his nomination meeting scheduled for Monday night in a central P.E.I riding north of Charlottetown.
MacLauchlan's office declined comment on the reports Sunday and the Liberal party would not confirm any details of the announcement.
Party spokeswoman Mary Lynn Kane says there is "election fever" in the province and that Monday's announcement will be of interest to all residents.
Based on the minimum and maximum number of days for a campaign under the province's election law, voting day would be on May 4 if MacLauchlan calls a Monday election.
P.E.I. must hold an election before April 2016 but since he replaced Robert Ghiz as premier in February, MacLauchlan has reportedly discussed holding a vote this spring rather than seek a legislature seat in a byelection.
This would also be the first general election for Progressive Conservative Leader Rob Lantz, a former Charlottetown city councillor who also won his party's leadership in February.
The Liberals hold 20 seats in the legislature, the Tories have three and there is one Independent. Three seats are vacant.
