THE Houses of Parliament were dissolved yesterday, ahead of the February 25 General Election.

This means that all sittings of the House of Representatives and the Senate will cease until a new Government is formed.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in announcing the date for the polls last Sunday, said she had advised the governor general to dissolve Parliament.

The dissolution constitutionally signifies the end of the parliamentary term.

The seats of members of parliament and senators will become vacant. While parliamentary sittings will cease, the business of the country has to go on, so the prime minister, cabinet ministers and the leader of the Opposition continue in their portfolios until new officials are sworn-in by the governor general.

Once the election is called and seats have been declared, the new Parliament may convene.

With dissolution, all business before the Parliament will come to an end. Dissolution differs from the proroguing of Parliament, the latter of which means bringing an end to a session of Parliament, usually at the end of the legislative year.