Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen will dissolve the Parliament of Jamaica on Friday (August 15), by proclamation issued on the advice of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

This follows the announcement by Holness on Sunday in Half-Way Tree that the next general election will be held on September 3. Nomination Day has been set for next Monday, August 18.

• RELATED: Holness sets general election date for September 3

The dissolution of Parliament marks the formal end of the current parliamentary term and is in keeping with the constitutional requirement that a general election be held within five years from the date of the first sitting of Parliament following the previous election.

Once Parliament is dissolved, all seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate become vacant.

Consequently, all pending bills, motions, and all unfinished business before the houses or their respective committees will lapse.

During this period, the prime minister, oppostion leader, all Cabinet ministers, house speaker and senate president will continue to serve in their official capacities until a new government is appointed by the governor-general following the election.