The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has issued a formal reminder to employers that workers must be granted time off to cast their votes in the upcoming St. Philip North by-election, according to Antigua News Room.
The requirement is grounded in Section 34(1) of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2001, which legally guarantees voters sufficient time away from work to participate in elections. As reported by Antigua News Room, the commission's notice specifies that employees must be allowed up to four hours for this purpose.
The Electoral Commission's reminder serves as a timely notice to businesses and organisations operating in the constituency and across the country, underscoring that compliance with the provision is not discretionary but a legal obligation.
Authorities have not indicated what penalties, if any, may apply to employers who fail to comply with the requirement. The commission's public notice signals its intent to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised due to workplace constraints ahead of the by-election.
