Elector Re-registration expected to begin in summer

This summer is set to be a busy one for the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) as the re-registration process is likely to begin.

Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office Lion ‘Max’ Hurst revealed to reports on Thursday morning during the Post Cabinet Press Briefing that residents can expect to see the process kick off in “July August of this year”.

The two major political parties approved the re-registration, the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party and the United Progressive Party, both of whom both agreed that the process of re-registration for the further updating of the voter registration list.

While the process of renewal or re-registration is likely to be very similar, re-registration will require the elector to document residency and eligibility.

 Cabinet agreed that intervention by the Parliament will very likely be required.

Large sums of money would have to be voted on to purchase new blank cards and new equipment since the existing equipment from 2014 is now 10 years old.

Boundary changes were also discussed for the 16 constituencies in Antigua.

For years, many have argued that the boundaries needed to be adjusted to create an equal or somewhat level number of registered voters in the constituencies. The contrast in constituencies like St. George’s and St. John’s City East was also mentioned and was called to be addressed.

While several calls were made, not much has been done over the years to begin that process.

The question of how exactly, officials would go about creating these new boundaries is also left unanswered.

Cabinet did however reveal that these boundary changes could come after the re-registration is completed and the number of electors in each constituency is known.