ST. JOHN'S, Antigua — The chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is calling on voters to urgently replace their voter identification cards, warning that anyone without a valid ID will be turned away at the polls during the April 30 general elections.
According to Antigua News Room, the chairman delivered a pre-election address to the nation, issuing a firm directive to eligible voters. "If you have not yet replaced your voter's ID card, you must do so immediately," he said. "Let me be clear: No elector can be permitted to vote without a valid voter identification card."
The commission has taken steps to ease the replacement process, extending operating hours, increasing staffing levels, and deploying additional resources. However, the chairman made clear that the burden now falls on individual voters to fulfil the requirement before polling day.
Beyond the ID requirement, the chairman appealed for orderly and lawful conduct throughout Election Day. He called on citizens to honour the democratic process and treat all participants with respect.
"Respect the electoral process and its rules. Respect opposing political parties and their supporters. Respect the election officials … and respect the security personnel," he stated, adding that "order, compliance and mutual respect are not optional."
The chairman also reminded political parties of their responsibility to remove all campaign materials from polling divisions before voting commences, stressing that polling stations must remain neutral environments, free from undue influence.
Describing elections as the "cornerstone of our democracy," the chairman urged all citizens to uphold Antigua and Barbuda's democratic traditions by participating "responsibly, peacefully and lawfully" on April 30.
