Residents of Roseau North in Dominica will head to the polls on September 7 to elect a new member of Parliament.

The by-election date was announced by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Sunday evening during a national address. He said Nomination Day is set for August 21.

“I urge all eligible electors in the constituency to participate in this important democratic exercise and conduct themselves in a manner that promotes a peaceful, orderly and issue-based campaign,” Skerrit said.

He added that the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), which he leads, looks forward to engaging residents throughout the campaign and presenting its vision for the continued development of the constituency and the country.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Miriam Blanchard in June for medical reasons.

It will be the first major electoral test of reforms passed by Parliament last year.

The DLP has selected Ashma McDougall as its candidate, while the United Workers Party (UWP) has selected former Roseau North MP Danny Lugay.