Voters who did not renew or replace their identification cards ahead of election day are still able to cast their ballots, according to Antigua News Room, following a special provision announced by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC).
ABEC Public Relations Officer Elisa Graham made the announcement Thursday morning during an appearance on Pointe TV, assuring concerned voters that there is "still hope" for those who feared they would be unable to participate.
Graham explained that eligible voters without a valid voter ID can visit any registration unit — open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. — and begin the replacement process on the spot. Electors are required to bring a passport-sized photograph and complete the necessary paperwork. Upon doing so, they will be issued a special identification card that permits them to vote immediately.
"So you're facilitating two processes — starting the replacement process and being issued a special ID card to go out and exercise your franchise," Graham said.
The permanent voter ID card will subsequently be processed and made available for collection after election day.
Graham stressed that the measure is designed to ensure all eligible voters who wish to participate can do so, even those who missed the deadline to renew or replace their cards.
She also urged voters who had previously applied for replacement cards but had not yet collected them to visit registration units to retrieve their IDs before heading to the polls.
The arrangement forms part of ABEC's broader efforts to maximise voter participation while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process as voting continues across Antigua and Barbuda.
