the previous general election was held on 4 november 2015, and the new national assembly was opened on 13 november 2015, which was also the date that the first sitting of the national assembly of belize began after the 2015 belizean general election. according to section 84 of the constitution of belize, the national assembly of belize (house of representatives and senate) must be dissolved every “five years from the date when the two houses, first met” unless dissolved sooner by the governor-general of belize upon the advice of the prime minister. a general election must be called within three months of a dissolution, meaning the latest possible date for barrow to call the next belizean general election is on 13 february 2021. if by any chance the next belizean general election is not held by 13 february 2021, barrow may be forced to vacate the office of prime minister, however he may still remain as leader of the united democratic party (udp), but he will have to make a snap! decision on a caretaker prime minister of belize to formally announce a date for the next general election. the caretaker prime minister must be from the ruling, udp and must also be a cabinet minister in government.