The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) has announced a temporary closure of its headquarters and all Registration Units from May 5 to May 8, granting staff a brief recovery period following the intense demands of the recent general election. According to Antigua.news, normal operations are set to resume on Monday, May 11.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commission said the decision was reached after "careful deliberation" and with full acknowledgement of its obligations under the Representation of the People Act, which mandates that voter registration services remain accessible throughout the year.
However, ABEC said it also bears a responsibility to protect the wellbeing and operational readiness of its workforce after weeks of strenuous electoral work.
The Commission noted that employees at headquarters and registration units across the country laboured under significant pressure in the lead-up to Election Day. Some staff members worked shifts exceeding 16 hours without adequate rest, while headquarters maintained round-the-clock operations during critical pre-election periods.
Despite that demanding schedule, ABEC said its registration units continued to deliver uninterrupted voter registration, renewals, and voter card distribution services to the public throughout the election period.
The Commission credited the dedication of its staff with helping deliver an electoral process it described as "efficient, orderly, and incident-free."
ABEC emphasised that the brief closure is strictly an administrative measure intended to recognise the exceptional efforts of its personnel. It is not, the Commission said, a departure from its commitment to public accessibility or compliance with electoral laws.
The Commission also expressed gratitude to its staff for their service and thanked the public for its understanding.
