Editing Writ of election (section)

== Timing ==
Usually, according to parliamentary law, the head of government must regularly call an election but it is otherwise within their discretion when to drop the writ, up to the time when the [[parliament]] has served its full [[parliamentary term|term]]. At that point, an election must be called by issuing the writs.  An exception to this principle is if a [[fixed-term election]] law has been enacted.<ref name="glossary">{{cite web |title=Writs |url=https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/writs/ |work=Glossary |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=22 January 2023}}</ref>

In some [[states and territories of Australia]], such as [[New South Wales]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[South Australia]], and the [[Australian Capital Territory]], it is normally required by law that the parliament must run its full term before issuing the writs. Early dissolutions are allowed by the governor (NSW, Vic, SA) or federal minister for territories (ACT) only if certain objective criteria are met – in particular, if the parliament is unable to agree on the annual [[budget]]. Similarly, in [[New Zealand]], it is the norm for parliament to run full term (or very close to full term) unless the prime minister cannot govern or feels they must bring an important issue before the nation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Editorial: Political farce, but no early election |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ieditoriali-political-farce-but-no-early-election/53OMXUIMT5KWURBGAUWOVYH3FM/ |access-date=23 January 2023 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=9 May 2002 |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

Opposition parties can bring down the government by passing a [[motion of no confidence]], in which the prime minister is required by convention or specific law to either drop the writ or resign; parliaments do not have the right to force the prime minister to drop the writ.