Nearly half of eligible voters in Antigua and Barbuda have yet to renew their voter identification cards, according to the latest data from the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC). According to Antigua News Room, the figures are raising concerns about electoral preparedness ahead of the next general election.
ABEC's March 2026 report shows that just over 23,000 voter ID card transactions have been recorded since the renewal exercise began, against an estimated 40,000 cards requiring replacement — leaving tens of thousands of voters without updated identification.
Progress has been uneven across constituencies. St. Peter leads the country with 81 percent completion, followed by Barbuda at 73 percent and St. Philip North — where a recent by-election was held — at 72 percent.
Most constituencies, however, remain below the halfway mark. Urban and rural districts across St. John's are largely clustered between 42 and 46 percent completion. St. John's City West sits at 44 percent, City East at 42 percent, and Rural East at 44 percent. St. Mary's North records one of the lowest rates, at 40 percent.
The data does reflect a recent surge in activity. More than 4,000 applications were processed in March alone, with a particularly sharp spike between March 23 and 28, when over 2,200 applications were recorded.
Despite that uptick, the overall pace suggests a substantial portion of the electorate has not yet complied with the requirement to replace expired cards. Voters without valid identification may face difficulties participating in upcoming elections.
With a general election widely expected in the coming months, the figures are likely to intensify calls for greater public outreach and faster processing to prevent voter disenfranchisement.
ABEC has not indicated whether any deadline extensions will be granted. The data, however, underscore the urgency for remaining voters to complete the renewal process without delay.
