Antigua & Barbuda: Gov’t in favor of voter re-registration

The Browne administration in Antigua & Barbuda has revealed that it will undertake a re-registration of voters in order to “preserve the integrity of the voters’ list,” as it contemplates whether or not to renew the voter identification cards which will expire this year.

A statement following the weekly Cabinet meeting noted that ministers met with five officials from the Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) including the Supervisor of Elections, Ian Hughes.

The statement said that the expiration of the 10-year old ID cards “is fast approaching, and the Cabinet has to determine whether renewal of the cards or re-registration is to take place.”

“Following intense discussions, it was agreed that re-registration will be preferable since it will preserve the integrity of the voters’ list. A precise date for the start of the process has not yet been decided,” the statement added.

Later, Cabinet spokesman, Ambassador Lionel Max Hurst told reporters “the re-registration is superior to merely renewing the cards since renewal is done much like you do a passport renewal; you present your documents and the card is subsequently renewed and issued to the voter.

“Whereas, re-registration requires that the voter begins the process all over again,” Hurst said, adding that the intention is to go to Parliament to pass the requisite legislation that will give the re-registration the full backing of legislators.

Hurst did not give a date when this exercise will commence, but noted that replacement of the cards and re-registration was the option favoured by the opposition United Progressive Party during its term in office, 2004-14.

“We think that 10 years have passed and now that the cards are about to expire, that re-registration would be the just, more equitable way to go; so, we are going the route of re-registration,” he said. – (CMC)