There are growing signs that the ruling New National Party (NNP) government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell is preparing for an early poll in the Spice Isle.

According to well-placed sources, the NNP held a special meeting last Thursday of its polling day agents at Wesley College in river road, St. George¹s. An insider told GRENADA TODAY that the meeting mainly looked at the preparedness of the personnel that would be used by the NNP on polling day.

He said the party is putting in place its election machinery including the relevant persons to turn out on election day to be stationed inside polling stations, as well as those who would be charged with the responsibility of monitoring the turn-out of supporters to cast their ballots.

Speculation is rife that Prime Minister Mitchell might call an early poll either in November or December in an effort to seek an unprecedented fourth term in office. Political pundits are predicting that the date for the poll would be announced prior to the implementation of some much-needed revenue earning measures like the controversial Value Added Tax (VAT).

Last month, government announced another postponement of VAT on the grounds that not sufficient public education was done on the tax measure.

Critics of the Grenadian leader are suggesting that the poll might be inclined to rush to the polls before U.S oil investor Jack Grynberg obtain a controversial video-tape allegedly depicting Prime Minister Mitchell collecting a substantial amount of money from international con-man, Eric Restiener.

The NNP has also started a series of village meetings in several critical constituencies on the island. The first was held in the South St. George constituency last Wednesday where Health Minister, Senator Ann David-Antoine is expected to face a stiff challenge in unseating the incumbent, Glynnis Roberts of the main opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC).

One day later, the NNP took its platform to Chantimelle, an important polling division in the St. Patrick West constituency that belongs to new minister of Economic Development and Planning, Anthony Boatswain.

The Congress party team led by Joseph Gilbert has been engaged in heavy campaigning in that constituency in recent months. The NNP has also recruited a police officer to contest the rural St. Patrick East seat that is held by Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas of the Congress party.

The new recruit, Phillip Caton is tipped to land the post of Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture with special responsibility for Fisheries.

This NNP Caretaker would most likely replace Senator Adrian "Spaceman" Mitchell in the Senate.

Sen. Mitchell who lost the seat in the 2003 poll to the NDC boss is said to be no longer on the list of potential candidates for the ruling party.

The NNP which enjoys a slender 8-7 majority in Parliament can remain in office until November 2008.